Kaipara Lifestyler, July 14th 2026

$40,000 in

Mary Poppins visits Maungatūroto

Amalgamation plan under scrutiny

u by Andy Bryenton

An extraordinary meeting of the Kaipara District Council has been called to discuss amalgamation issues on July 15, and similar meetings are planned in other Northland constituencies to approve or deny a staged transition to a unitary authority.

single Northland-wide unitary authority over time.

However, Kaipara District Council elected members taking part sounded a note of caution on the plan, which did not meet with their approval on the day.

“Our community has given us a strong sense of what matters to them. We will now take the steering group recommendation to our full council for consideration,” Mayor Larsen said.

The Annual Meeting of beneficiaries is to be held at the Vikings Lounge (West End, Level 2), Northland Events Centre, 51 Okara Drive, Whangarei, on Wednesday, 29th July 2026 at 1:00pm. A light lunch will be served at 12:30pm.

Agenda

1. Minutes of last year’s Annual Meeting in July 2025.

2. Matters Arising.

3. Presentation of the Trust’s Annual Report to Beneficiaries for the year ending 31 March 2026.

4. Appointment of an Auditor for the 2026/2027 Financial Year.

5. Report on Code of Practice.

6. General Business.

In accordance with S100 of the Electricity Industry Act 2010 the Consolidated Financial Statements of the Trust for the year ended 31 March 2026 and the Auditors Report on those financial statements are available for inspection, Monday to Friday, between 8.30am and 5 pm at the office of the secretary (details below). For pdf copy email nept@plusca. co.nz.

Plus Chartered Accountants, 22 John Street, Whangarei. Phone: 09 438 3322

In accordance with S102 of the Electricity Industry Act 2010 s(2) every beneficiary has one vote

s(3) The quorum for the annual meeting is 20 beneficiaries. All Northpower Trust consumer beneficiaries in the Kaipara and Whangarei Districts who are connected to the Northpower electricity network are encouraged to attend.

Brent Martin, Secretariat

Dinner and dancing

p Dargaville Kindergarten has been celebrating Matariki in various ways, from card games, group discussions, songs, learning and the Matariki Disco. Children danced to their hearts’ content, with their parents and with fellow students at the star-themed dance. “Our tamariki thoroughly enjoyed the evening,” said Shirley Mitchell. “The combination of great company, delicious kai, lively music, and lots of dancing made for a memorable celebration of Matariki.”

A midwinter Christmas

and

and it was a privilege to be there.”

Planting for Matariki

Amalgamation plan under scrutiny

That consideration will come at a meeting in Dargaville, at the Northern Wairoa Boating Club, Wednesday at 2pm. It is an open session of the council, the public can come and attend. Here’s what they will weigh up:

If Northland’s councils and central government officials agree, the KDC, Whangārei District Council, Far North District Council and Northland Regional Council could be folded into two unitary authorities ahead of local elections in 2028. This would mean that the final step, of a transition to a single monolithic Northland governance entity, would happen later, perhaps in parallel with parliamentary elections.

“I believe a single unitary authority sits best with the direction the government has given us through the Head Start programme,” said WDC mayor Ken Couper. “This is about Te Tai Tokerau standing on its own mana and shaping our own future, rather than having change directed to us from Wellington,” said NRC chair Pita Tipene.

Input on the two-step amalgamation plan came from both the government’s Head Start Pathway, which mandates a plan be submitted for Cabinet scrutiny by August 9, and the 2,300 items of feedback received when all Northland Councils surveyed their constituents.

The Simplifying Local Government for Northland Survey and Community Feedback Report was the biggest survey ever undertaken on local government restructuring.

This was followed by an independent analysis by Morrison Low Advisory, which

examined four structural options for Northland’s local government, outlining the strengths and weaknesses of each. They cautioned councils that while amalgamation may deliver scale, it may not deliver economies thereof for the ratepayer, saying that ‘while amalgamation can deliver benefits associated with scale, including improved service capability, increased organisational resilience, and reduced duplication, these benefits do not consistently translate into lower rates for communities.’

When councils submit their plans, they will be assessed by the new Ministry for Cities, Environment, Regions and Transport (MCERT), which came into being at the end of May. A rejected proposal means that the council involved will revert to the government’s threatened backstop option; a mandated amalgamation plan enforced by Wellington. It’s been confirmed that the final decision will be made by the current cabinet, possibly as their last act before parliament rises for the electoral cycle on October 1.

It had been opined across social and print media, and hinted at by politicians both local and national, that the general election itself may drastically alter the outcome of local government reform, in the same way that the previous election saw the end, and eventual restructuring of the Labour-led Three Waters’ initiative into Local Waters Done Well.

Both the Simplifying Local Government for Northland Survey and Community Feedback Report and the Northland Option Comparison Report by Morrison Low are now available at kaipara.govt.nz. ¢

Call for community connection

u by Amy Fifita

Wanting to see the community more involved in the school, Ruawai Primary principal Glenn Davies welcomes volunteers into the learning space and sponsors for the new playground.

“We are trying to raise money to replace our playground, because it is falling apart. We need $140,000 to replace it, and we are fundraising, but it is a lot to come up with, and we have fundraised $30,000 so far,” said principal Davies.

While the school has applied for grants, funds aren’t guaranteed, and Glenn would like to see more connection with the community.

“We have applied for grants, but we need to raise as much as we can. We would love to see some local businesses support us, and we could put their name on our school.

“The school should be an extension of the community. People should be able to feel that they can come in here and that they can own it — this school is their school.”

Additionally, principal Davies would like to see more families be involved in day-to-day school life. Whether

volunteering to weed gardens, getting involved in working bees, or helping children learn.

“The heartbeat of the school is the community, and we want to get them involved back into the fabric of the school. I would love to see us getting grandparents in to read stories to children, and see local marae involved in the school and strengthen the bonds again.”

Keep an eye on the Ruawai Primary School Facebook page for working bee information. ¢

Is your family trust still protecting what matters

u by Natalie Robinson, WRMK Lawyers

Many family trusts were established years ago and have barely been looked at since. However, a

that should simply be set up and forgotten.

As your family, assets and circumstances change, your trust should be reviewed to ensure it still does what you intended.

If you are a trustee, there is another reason to dust off your trust deed. Under New Zealand’s Trusts Act 2019, trustees have a legal duty to know the terms of the trust and to act in accordance with them. In reality, many trustees have never read their trust deed or are unaware of what it provides.

One of the most important questions is: what happens if you lose mental capacity? If you are the person who holds the power to appoint or remove trustees (often called the appointor), can someone else step into that role if you are unable to make decisions? Some older trust deeds are silent on this issue, which can create uncertainty at exactly the time your family needs clarity.

It is also worth considering what happens when you die. Does your trust deed clearly provide who will hold the power to appoint and remove trustees in the future? Choosing the right person is

crucial, as they can ultimately control who manages the trust.

Another document that is often overlooked is a Memorandum of Guidance (MOG). A MOG is not legally binding, but it records your wishes and provides valuable guidance to future trustees about how you would like the trust to be administered after your death or if you lose capacity. If your circumstances have changed, or if your MOG was prepared many years ago, it may no longer reflect your intentions.

A trust review is also an opportunity to look at your beneficiaries. Are the right people included? Are there beneficiaries who should be added or removed? Who has the power to make those changes, and are you comfortable with that arrangement? These are important questions that are often overlooked until it is too late.

Finally, your trust should work alongside your will, not separately from it. Your will, enduring powers of attorney, trust deed and any MOG should all complement one another to ensure your wishes can be

carried out smoothly if you lose capacity or when you pass away.

A regular trust review can identify outdated provisions, highlight potential risks, and give you confidence that your trust continues to protect your family and your assets in the way you intended.

If it has been several years since your trust was reviewed, or if you cannot remember the last time anyone looked at your trust deed, it may be time for a check-up. Lawyers can review your trust documentation, explain your options and ensure your estate planning remains fit for purpose. ¢

Voting policy close to home

u by Andy Bryenton

New Zealand First leader Winston Peters has announced a policy which would confer the right to vote on New Zealand citizens only, excluding the category of permanent residents from suffrage.

At a recent Warkworth engagement, Mr Peters struck out at the climate-change-related Paris Accord, calling it a “pointless charade”, and reiterated policies on promoting competition in groceries and banking. However, it was a major new policy announcement on the voting rights of non-citizens which sparked nationwide discussion.

“Voting in our country should be a privilege of those who have sworn allegiance to New Zealand, and who have made the commitment to make New Zealand their home and their future,” said Mr Peters. “If you haven’t made that commitment or sworn that allegiance, we are happy to let you live here permanently, but why should you get a say in how this country is run or governed?”

that would fundamentally change the social fabric of our society. Is this what we really mean by democracy in our country?” asked Mr Peters.

$40,000 in community grants

u

by

Paul Campbell

Maungatūroto’s fundraising emporium, Albie’s Den has completed another round of community grants totalling $40,000 for groups and organisations throughout the Kaipara District.

“The quality of applications was exceptional, making the selection process a difficult one,” says grants committee member, Sonia Kay. “We were delighted to provide funding to some familiar favourites that continue to make a lasting impact in our communities, while also supporting several new organisations for the first time.”

The NZ First leader noted that permanent residents, living in New Zealand on an indefinite visa, may be eligible to vote after just one or two years.

“They can vote on who the government is, they can vote on who the local council is, they can even vote in referendums

Debate on the issue has been robust, with many commentators noting that our closest neighbours, Australia, have a similar rule allowing only Australian citizens to vote. Kaipara regularly holds citizenship ceremonies for new citizens, some of whom have stated that they have waited several years to take the step of becoming avowed and sworn Kiwis. ¢

Albie’s Den operates from expanded premises in Hurndall Street East after being founded in the old scout den in Bickerstaffe Road by the late Albie Paton, and is now run by a community trust. This winter round allocations included Linking Hands, Manaaki Circle, Tinopai Craft Group, Dargaville High School, Hakaru RSA, Wild Side Charitable Trust, Hospice, and Breast Cancer among others.

“We would like to thank everyone who took the time to apply. If you missed out this round, or have a project you’d like to have support with in the future, be

sure to keep an ear to the ground for announcements when our next funding round opens,” said Sonia. “Together, we can continue making a positive difference across Kaipara.”

Albie’s Den provides community funding with a strong emphasis on the health and wellbeing sector. Past funding has assisted organisations like the Northland Rescue Helicopter, the Cancer Society of New Zealand, town dementia units, and hospice groups. ¢

New on the front line

u by Amy Fifita

The Dargaville Police Station is at full strength after the team welcomed more recruits into the region last week, including a brother of one of the current staff.

Celebrating new staff, new positions and the connection of police and mana whenua, the pōwhiri welcomed recruits and people into their ranks.

“We always welcome our people in through the front door through our hapū advisory, and acknowledge our mana whenua for hosting us and the support they give us in our role,” said Area Commander Maria Nordstrom.

Born in England, Constable Harry Comber moved when he was six months old to his father’s home town, Dargaville. While Harry is focussing on getting through this probationary period, his aspirations include becoming CIB or AOS qualified.

“My dad’s great-grandfather settled in Dargaville, and they are generational plumbers. I used to volunteer for the Dargaville fire service, and I want to give back to the community, so I’m excited about helping people who need it,” Constable Harry Comber said.

A brother of Constable Oliver Comber, he says the new dynamic is no different to when they have worked together on job sites in the past.

“I have been policing here since 1990, and I don’t recall us having siblings through the station, so this is a first,” said Area Commander Nordstrom.

“We have an amazing, dedicated professional team in Dargaville, and our front doors are open on weekdays. I encourage the community to engage with our police who are ready and waiting — the Dargaville station is at full strength.” ¢

WHANGAREI 10 Awaroa River Rd, Whangarei (Old Money Factory) 09 553 3523

RUAWAI 22 Freyberg Rd, Ruawai 09 699 4050

WARKWORTH 8 Mill Lane, Warkworth 09 422 3120

FREE DRAWER UPGRADE ON CHATEAU & HAMPTON

Health trust’s role explained

u by Andy Bryenton

Amid the recent crisis of misinformation which saw allegations of Dargaville Hospital’s closure proliferate, the Kaipara Community Health Trust, its role, and its impact became part of a factfinding discussion.

“For more than 30 years, the Kaipara Community Health Trust (KCHT) has been tasked with being the watchdog over west Kaipara health services, governed by 12 volunteer trustees. We ensure services are retained and enhanced locally, ensuring people have access to quality healthcare close to home,” said trust CEO Debbie Evans.

The trust was established in the early 1990s, after the community came together to successfully prevent the closure of Dargaville Hospital. That same community spirit continues to guide the trust today.

Importantly, the KCHT doesn’t provide clinical services. This means it can advocate without conflicting interests. The KCHT plays a vital role in strengthening the local health system. The trust has a professional reputation, and is invited to work alongside health providers, government agencies, iwi, community organisations and local partners, at a strategic level.

“An example is one of the trust’s most visible services; the Kaipara Health Shuttle,” says Ms Evans. “This provides

pre-booked transport for people travelling to medical appointments in Dargaville and Whangārei. For many residents, particularly older people and those living in rural communities, the shuttle removes one of the biggest barriers to accessing healthcare.”

The KCHT also continues to support the future of Dargaville Hospital through its 46% ownership of the hospital building — in a landlord role, helping maintain and develop facilities that are essential to the wellbeing of the community.

“KCHT will continue to lobby Health NZ, as our community deserves access to excellent health services locally,” Ms Evans said. ¢

Enhancing a natural gem

u by Andy Bryenton

A new wastewater plant to serve Kai Iwi Lakes is largely buried underground, but the infrastructure it represents will allow for more sanitation and ablutions at the popular spot, allowing for added tourism benefits.

“This is a major undertaking, at a cost of more than $1 million, to future-proof an important place for recreation and tourism,” said mayor Jonathan Larsen, as the ribbon was cut on the new wastewater treatment system.

A modern wastewater system will help to support planned upgrades to the ablutions at the lake, such as the showers and bathrooms there for the use of campers and caravanners. These expansions are set to take place by Labour Day this year, with two whole new blocks also in the pipeline for the future.

Practically perfect in every way

u by Andy Bryenton

The Ōtamatea Repertory Theatre’s all-youth production of Mary Poppins Junior is proof once again that the heartland of Kaipara is the home of theatrical talent and expertise even the most metropolitan city would envy.

The junior version of the popular story is designed to be accomplished with a young cast and crew, and the ORT ensemble struck every note with aplomb, bringing the world of P L Travers’ storybook classic to life.

The previous wastewater treatment system did not have sufficient capacity to treat the demand of current and future visitors. It was unreliable and had reached the end of its useful life. The new wastewater treatment plant is capable of managing the effluent increase and will provide a more reliable service, serving both the Taharoa Domain campground and the nearby Pine Beach day-use area.

The installation of a modern wastewater system is also vital due to the pristine nature of the lakes, an ecological biome not found anywhere else on earth. Plants and fish native to the small cluster of dune lakes are unique to the locale, and co-existing with holidaymakers is made possible by maintaining a balance, in this case with waste-removal technology.

The mayor, councillors Lambeth and Tane and CE Jazz Singh, thanked Hoskin Civil, Innoflow, Hubands, Laser Electrical, Geometria, Te Kuihi and Te Roroa, TineKel and GWE Consulting. ¢

Many of those who attended the opening night on Matariki eve would have fond memories of the Disney production from 1964, and the combination of Julie Andrews as Mary and Dick Van Dyke as cheery chimneysweep Bert set a high bar. Young lead actors Lachie Millard and Chloe Polwart rise to the challenge with effervescence and energy, blending music, comic timing and wit.

The Banks family includes shared roles for the children Michael and Jane, who are alternately played by Gracie Hand and Joel Cullen, Ivy Arancibia and Chelsea Blair. Felix Longdon plays their overworked father George, and illuminates his arc of transformation from a strict autocrat to a loving parent. His wife, Winifred, is brought to life by

Laura Jane Cullen, co-star of last year’s Chitty Chitty Bang Bang at ORT.

There’s no small performance among the entire cast, from the chorus line of chimney sweeps to the gloriously venomous Miss Andrew, and together with a crew who execute the many elaborate, impressive scene changes with military precision, the ORT team delivers stage magic.

Visit the ORT website ort.org.nz to see Mary Poppins Jr this weekend but be quick, tickets are selling fast. ¢

•

Invasive seaweed meets its match

u by Andy Bryenton

Marine areas on the east coast have been under threat from the aggressively invasive caulerpa seaweed for several years now, with infestations striking at Great Barrier Island and further north.

A caulerpa explosion on the east coast of Kaipara could prove ecologically disastrous, so news that the Northland Regional Council has developed a worldfirst robotic planing dredge to eliminate the fast-growing weed comes as a relief to boaties, anglers and ecologists.

KAIPARA

The place to be!

Mayor ’s Message

Jonathan Larsen, Mayor of Kaipara District

One of my favourite things to do as mayor is welcome new New Zealand citizens to Kaipara. Every citizenship ceremony is a reminder of what makes our district unique. We get to celebrate people who have come from all around the world and chosen to make Kaipara their home. Their stories, cultures and experiences enrich our district, and it is always a huge privilege to share this important milestone with them and their families. I look forward to welcoming another group of new citizens this week.

Choosing Kaipara means choosing a community, and it’s our job as a council to help make sure this remains a great place to live, work and raise a family.

As we begin the new financial year, I know many households and businesses across the district continue to feel the pressure of rising costs. That’s why elected members and staff spent a lot of time looking for ways to reduce the impact on ratepayers while still delivering the services and infrastructure our communities rely on. The result is an average rates increase of 3.9% across the district (after growth). While any increase is challenging, we’ve worked hard to strike a balance between affordability today and investing in the future of Kaipara. This year we’ll continue investing in roads, renewing essential assets and

delivering projects that support our growing district.

The future is also at the heart of the discussion about local government reform in Northland. Thank you to the more than 360 people who took part in our recent survey. The level of interest shows that people care passionately about how decisions are made and who makes them.

The feedback was clear. People are open to change if it is focused on outcomes – if it improves services and delivers real benefits for ratepayers. Importantly, they don’t want to lose the local voice that makes Kaipara unique.

This week, elected members will consider whether to support the continued development of the Head Start pathway proposal for Northland. It won’t be a simple decision. There is a lot to weigh up, and all of your elected members will be considering the potential benefits, risks and impacts for our communities before deciding on the next step. Kaipara is already a lean, efficient and cost-effective council, and whatever the future holds, our focus must remain on delivering for our communities while keeping local voices at the table.

Jonathan Larsen Mayor of Kaipara District

“There is nothing like this anywhere else,” said designer Andrew Johnson, part of Johnsdon Bros, the Ōpua-based engineering firm which crafted the powerful Caulerpa Slurpa, a machine that acts as an underwater combine harvester.

“It’s a technically ambitious, innovative solution to a really big problem facing New Zealand that’s already significantly changing the Kiwi way of life.”

Parts of the Slurpa were repurposed from a North Sea oil and gas robot submersible, but the rest is the result of pure Kiwi ingenuity.

Mr Johnson was there to see his creation hit the water in late June, when a test was run at Omākiwi Cove in the Bay of Islands. The results were very positive, and this could be a turning point not just for the local fight against caulerpa, but for how invasive marine weeds are dealt with worldwide. ¢

Nothing about the Caulerpa Slurpa is normal; its construction is totally bespoke, and at 16 tonnes it’s a huge machine. Twin Archimedes screws propel it across the seabed, where its powerful suction heads remove one and a half rugby fields’ worth of seaweed each day. The weed is pumped up to a barge where sand and water are separated from the pulpy green mass.

LETTERS TO THE EDITOR

Rural medical access

It’s good to see people up in arms over the rumour of the loss of medical services. We have dodged a bullet this time but for how long? Decades of politicians who talk about user pays, austerity and market forces ‘improving’ health care have got us here. A grim place to be a pensioner. Mr Churchill told us that ‘every man on the ballot is your friend in an election year and

your master afterward’, but the Good Book got right to the point with ‘whatever one sows, that will he also reap’ — Galatians 6:7.

RJ White Ōtamatea

Healthy gardening

Ten years ago I applied seaweed and a lot of minerals to my permaculture garden. Since then there has been almost no plant disease. I’ve used organic, mineral rich, raw, homegrown food to heal cancers and heart palpitations.

Some of the longest-living people on the planet eat a lot of this sort of super food. They live high in the Himalaya Mountains and get their minerals from ‘glacier milk’ (mineral rich ice-melt from high-altitude glaciers) in their rivers. You can Google them — search for the Hunza Valley area in Pakistan.

There is no cancer there, no crime, and people are happy. A bit like New Zealand 60 years ago, when we led the world in many ways, and most homes had a vegetable garden. If New Zealand is to become a great country again, then I think this basic gardening knowledge needs to be taught in the schools, along with demonstration gardens for the public as well as students to use as examples.

Lance Bullock Dargaville

[Editor’s note: The people of the Hunza Valley do indeed live long lives, and while both disease and crime are present even in this isolated, community-driven place, they are verifiably lower than in other parts of Pakistan and the world. Documented life expectancies reach 100 years, which researchers attribute to a very healthy diet, robust exercise at altitude, and the antioxidants in glacial meltwater.]

EDITORIAL by Andy Bryenton

Targets of opportunity

You can tell everything you need to know about a people and a government by how they treat the most vulnerable. Those with disabilities, the homeless, economically-disadvantaged kids, old-age pensioners; you’d have to be mad to bash these people in an election year, wouldn’t you? Well, strap in.

First up, there’s a new Disability Support Services Bill, which has been described by disability advocate Jane Carrigan:

“It’s got nothing to do with consultation, it’s got nothing to do with fairness, equity, transparency. It’s got everything to do with trying to shut down people and [the government is] doing it in the cruellest and most perverse way.”

Incidentally, Ms Carrigan was part of a landmark December 2025 ruling, in which the Supreme Court of New Zealand unanimously found that parents providing full-time care for their severely disabled adult children are legally considered ‘homeworkers’ and employees of the Crown.

The government says the new bill will make funding clearer and easier to understand. Carers say it’s basically designed to nullify the court’s ruling.

In the same week, David Seymour has gone on the record implying that unemployment benefits are a bad idea, saying that “if we want people to work, we need to stop paying them not to work.”

He went on to align unemployment with methamphetamine use, saying that “drugs are winning the war on drugs,” and that “What we need to do is stop paying people to stay at home taking them.”

That’s how you deal with addiction, a medical issue, apparently; by insinuating that all those who suffer from unemployment — victims of economic systems outside their control — are substance users. Smugly promote a reason to further impoverish the already poor, the majority of whom want a real job, not a quick fix, and certainly not a gig-economy zero-hour farce.

Add this to the ‘inedible’ school lunches fiasco, which gave disadvantaged kids a major downgrade to their meals, despite evidence proving that good nutrition equals better classroom performance. Meritocracy by Marmite sammies, anyone?

Then there’s the admission from the prime minister that he had no idea that there was nowhere for the homeless to ‘move along’ to, when they are ousted by Auckland law enforcement.

Kids don’t choose to be born into poverty. People don’t choose to be disabled. Nobody chooses to grow old or lose their livelihood. Most homeless people don’t want to sleep on the street. Still, governments choose how to treat these people — and we choose how to vote. ¢

Kaipara Kōrero

News from Kaipara District Council

Upcoming council meetings

Taharoa Domain Governance Committee, 10am Tuesday 14 July, Lighthouse Function Centre, 32 Mount Wesley Coast Road, Dargaville

Harding Park Committee, 1pm Tuesday 14 July, Lighthouse Function Centre, 32 Mount Wesley Coast Road, Dargaville

Extraordinary Meeting, 2pm Wednesday 15 July, Northern Wairoa Boating Club Totara Street, Dargaville 0310

Council Meeting, 10am Wednesday 29 July, Tangiteroria Community Complex 23 Pukehuia Road, Tangiteroria and livestreamed on YouTube

Council Briefing, 10am Wednesday 5 August, KDC Conference Room, 1C Molesworth Drive, Mangawhai

Long Term Plan Briefing, 10am Thursday 13 August, KDC Conference Room, 1C Molesworth Drive, Mangawhai

Please visit our website for the most up-to-date information or call council on 0800 727 059 and ask to speak to a governance advisor

Don’t let bird flu take flight

Times Gone By

A fine new church

About a quarter of a mile from the Northern Wairoa River stands the new Anglican Church, which was opened by the Venerable Archdeacon Maunsell last Sunday week. It is gothic in style, and the proportions of both exterior and interior show that Mr Mahoney, the architect, has bestowed both time and pains over the design. The builder, Mr Thomas Colebrook, of Auckland, has also acquitted himself well, and the result is one of the best sacred edifices north of Auckland. Due care and taste has been bestowed upon the internal decorations and fittings. It must not be forgotten that for the site the congregation are indebted to Mr Dargaville, who dedicated it specially for this purpose. The entire cost, £750, was defrayed by voluntary subscriptions. New Zealand Herald, July 1 1878 Image credit: Auckland Libraries Heritage Collections

Hōngongoi | July

Check our website for most up to date information. www.kaipara.govt.nz

Lead the charge (without starting one)

Household batteries can be recycled for FREE at the Dargaville Resource Recovery Park, thanks to a new partnership between Kaipara Refuse, Kaipara District Council and Phoenix Recycling Group. Free battery recycling is also available at the Hakaru Re:sort Centre. It’s a simple step that makes a big difference. Batteries thrown in rubbish or recycling bins can cause fires, and we’ve had three truck fires linked to batteries in the past six months.

Help keep our crews, trucks and community safe by dropping your batteries off for recycling instead Tape over both terminals (positive and negative) using household sellotape or clear packing tape prior to collection Recycle right Keep the sparks where they belong!

The Ministry for Primary Industries is encouraging people to be prepared for bird flu in case it reaches New Zealand, following its recent detection in Australia

New Zealand is well prepared to respond if bird flu reaches our shores, but it is important that everyone takes steps now to be ready. We have processes in place to manage the potential arrival of bird flu in Kaipara. If you find a sick or dying wild bird, especially three or more together, please report to the MPI Exotic Pest and Disease Hotline: 0800 80 99 66

MPI has lots of resources and information on their website at mpi.govt.nz/HPAI

Kaipara Kōrero

News from Kaipara District Council

Annual Plan available

Settle in for a good read – copies of our Annual Plan for the 2026/2027 year are now available to view on our website

Physical copies will be available from council offices near the end of the month In a meeting last month, elected members confirmed an average rates increase of 3 9% after growth The plan sets out our work programme and budget for the year, including a $54 million capital programme focused on growth, renewals, and service improvements

Rates payments due 20 August

The first rates invoices for the 2026/2027 rating year are on their way to you

We’ve rolled out a new layout for rates invoices, to make them easier to understand. You’ll now find separate rates assessments for Kaipara District Council and Northland Regional Council, while instalment amounts and due dates are shown on the front page.

The first instalment for rates in 2026-2027 will be due on 20 August

If you’ve registered to receive your rates invoice via email and you haven’t received it by 31 July, get in touch with our rates team at 0800 727 059 or email revenue@kaipara.govt.nz

Creative Communities Scheme

If you’re a crafter, performer, filmmaker, artist or creative event organiser, your next project could receive funding through the Creative Communities Scheme

Last year, the Dargaville Arts Association received funding to help deliver its Ceramic Arts Workshop, which saw students hosted for four, four-hour sessions where they learnt the techniques of slab, coil and pinching, to make a ceramic item of their choice. Their masterpieces were then fired and glazed. Tools and materials were provided as part of the course cost

“The Creative Communities Scheme is a perfect vehicle to fund classes like this,” says John Pickworth from the Dargaville Arts Association.

“Without the funding, the course would probably be too expensive for the average participant Funding means more people in our community are able to attend the course and try something new ”

If you’ve got a creative project that will benefit the Kaipara community, it’s time to apply! Find out more and apply at kaipara.govt.nz/funding

Dog rego

A friendly reminder to pay your registration before 31 August to avoid any late payment penalties Go to kaipara.govt.nz/dogs to register online or pick up a registration form at one of council’s offices

Simplifying Local Government

A steering group representing Northland’s four councils has recommended a staged approach to local government reform, beginning with two unitary authorities and potentially transitioning to a single Northland-wide unitary authority in the future

The recommendation follows feedback from more than 2,300 Northlanders, including more than 360 Kaipara residents, who took part in surveys about the future structure of local government

Survey feedback showed residents want any changes to deliver clear benefits, protect local representation and maintain strong services for communities

Kaipara District Council will consider the steering group recommendation this week in an extraordinary meeting being held on Wednesday 15 July, before deciding whether to support further development of the proposal

Read the full joint media release, plus the survey and community feedback regional report on our website.

Antenno

The Antenno app has a new look! Rest assured it’s the same app with the same features - nothing has changed about how it works You can still report issues straight from your phone and get local alerts for the places you care about.

If you don’t have Antenno, you can download it at kaipara.govt.nz/antenno

Antenno is a free mobile app that sends you notifications and alerts about places and topics you care about – rubbish day reminders, road works, water outages, events and more.

Repor t issues to your council in seconds.

Special kei

u by Andy Bryenton

The Honda Super-ONE is not designed for farm work, dramatically unsealed roads, heavy construction haulage or mud-soaked wilderness excursions.

Why feature it here, in the rural heartland of New Zealand, then? That’s because it’s the embodiment of an automotive movement which is as much a Japanese work of art as the hot rod is a US one.

First some facts about Honda’s very new, very small, very cool little EV hatchback. The Super-ONE (it’s spelt like that, half in capitals) is touted as an ultimate city car, with a tiny parking footprint, low centre of gravity, massive interior space for its tiny size, and even a boost button to make driving more fun. Sir Alec Issigonis had a similar recipe when he invented the Mini back in the age of Cool Britannia, but this car represents a new chapter in a very Japanese microcar tradition — the world of the kei car.

Pronounced like the letter ‘k’, these little cars exploit a loophole in strict urban Japanese driving rules dictating the exact dimensions of a car you can drive in the urban jungle without owning a parking space. Seeing as parking spaces sell for nearly as much as apartments, and the figure would make your eyes water more than the finest freshly-made wasabi, the story goes that carmakers innovated down to size.

The Honda Beat is a classic of the genre. It’s a miniature cartoon supercar with a mid-mounted threecylinder motorcycle-sized engine. If you think Toyota’s sub-tonne MR-2 Spyder is a bit large (it’s not), then the Beat is just right for you. Kei vans like the Suzuki Super Carry and kei trucks also exist; the latter really do work on Kiwi farms, fitted with off-road tyres.

Now, the Honda Super-ONE is not a classic kei, in that it’s a bit bigger and packs an electric punch, with up to 70 kilowatts on tap. However, it’s an example of kei thinking applied to the hot hatch, another avenue of Japanese automotive thought which has led to some true icons. Chief among them, when you look at the cheeky, angular presence of the Super-ONE, is that 80s hero, the Honda City Turbo.

The Super-ONE’s got the same geek chic and obsessively focussed charm of the City Turbo, packaged for a world 40 years more advanced. It’s got individuality. It’s got practicality, certainly, but like the old original Mini, it wraps it up in neon, bantamweight swagger.

Kei is the future. In a cyberpunk way, it might always have been, at least for urban

drivers

by congestion

tiny parking spaces and gridlock. Making urban driving fun is harder by far than making a V12 to burn down the Autobahn at 2am.

Honda has managed it again. That’s worth noting — even if your daily is a massive ute. ¢

Retirement & Lifestyle

Argument of the ages

u by Liz Clark and Amy Fifita

Every generation has them: conflicts between those of younger and older statures, even this millennial writer, Amy, but when put against my dear colleague and pending fossil Liz Clark, how will I fare?

Millennial mayhem

So, I got myself into a wee bit of a cycle a while back; so apparently, those ‘buy now pay later’, no interest schemes aren’t just free money. I was good at first, only for car maintenance, and then

I added on some extra groceries, gas, cigarettes on occasion, lunch shouts and therapeutic spending.

Staring at a $1,000-plus total expenditure was not a comfortable experience, but I can’t say that a fossil

The team of professionals at Mangawhai Dental are passionate about looking after your teeth and offer a wide range of dental services including...

...from a fully trained team with years of experience

• Routine Exams

• General Dentistry

• Orthodontics

• Full & Partial Dentures

• Denture Repairs

• Relines/ additions

• Whitening

• Dental Hygiene

• Cosmetic Dentistry

• Crown & Bridges

• Nightguards

• WINZ quotes

p Wisdom wins out in the battle of the ages, so instead of fighting our elders, maybe it’s better to give them an ear. Disclaimer — No fossils were harmed in the creation of this image didn’t warn me. Safe to say, breaking my flash phone that had NFC was a blessing in disguise. Maybe I could use the money saved on that bill to buy a house and be one of those rare species of young adults who own their own home. If the older generation hasn’t bought them all — that is.

Fossil thoughts

So are we repeating the debt cycle there? We all do it. Mine was called the Visa card until I realised it was a bad thing

Why Choose Us?

Choosing care for a loved one is an important decision. At Norfolk Court Home & Hospital in Dargaville, we understand families want a place where their loved one will feel safe, respected, comfortable and cared for.

Norfolk Court is a family-owned and operated care home, proudly part of the Kaipara community. We provide rest home, hospital-level and secure dementia care, with support available 24 hours a day.

Our focus is on getting to know each resident as an individual — their

routines, interests, likes, dislikes and what brings them comfort. This helps us provide care that feels personal, familiar and meaningful.

Life at Norfolk Court is not only about care. It is also about connection, purpose and enjoying each day.

Residents are encouraged to take part in activities such as music, games, gardening, walks, van outings, reminiscence and simple everyday tasks that help create a sense of belonging.

We have also continued to improve our environment for residents and

to have. Always on the limit, and it seemed every cent was servicing debt. In saying that, I had a home loan account and religiously saved a set amount of money each week and into that account it went.

Before I knew it, I was a homeowner with my now ex-husband, at just 21. Those days are gone, sorry to say. Get rid of debt and save hard — and you might get your first home. It’s worth it. By the way, do you know how to get rid of those retirement adverts on Facebook? They’re driving me nuts.

Millennial mayhem

Oh, you mean those tailored ads they give us, thinking they’ll “benefit” our lives? The algorithm thinks I need to buy my child more art supplies! OK, old girl, I concede. It would appear that, despite the age gap, common sense has remained the same — funny that.

Fossil thoughts

Nothing beats a little wisdom learned from the same mistakes the younger generation is making now. We all learn — the hard way. I rest my case and will go back to my pending fossilisation gracefully. ¢

families. Our renovated outdoor area offers a peaceful, welcoming space to enjoy fresh air, sunshine, flowers, conversation and family visits. At Norfolk Court, our goal is simple — to provide quality care in a warm, homely environment where residents feel valued, supported and part of a community.

Norfolk Court Home & Hospital welcomes enquiries from families wanting to learn more about our care and services.

Retirement & Lifestyle

Means to an end

u by Andy Bryenton

As the population ages, the cost of providing superannuation payments goes up, and many politicians have dared to broach two almost taboo subjects; higher pension ages and means-testing superannuitants.

In Australia, the pension is very much means-tested. Earning more than A$218 a fortnight triggers a pension drop, and there’s an asset limit, too; A$321,000 for a homeowner. Part-pension recipients are plentiful, and the Australian government says that this approach has staved off the ticking time bomb of an ageing population.

Things could look different in New Zealand, and the all-important question of whether the beloved investment strategy of Kiwis, becoming a small-portfolio landlord, would be hard hit by speculative changes, compounded by a capital gains tax. At the same time, National and ACT have broached the subject of a raise in the pension age to 67, which fits with longer life expectancies.

The Labour Party hinted in April that bipartisan talks on means-testing the pension could be on the cards, but Chris Hipkins has gone on the record more recently to say that “Labour will not means-test New Zealand superannuation, and we will not increase the age.”

While the topic of eligibility age continues to be a political hot potato that

shows no sign of cooling, the matter of a means-test cap, Australian-style, has also been explored by economists. Inland Revenue data indicates that only nine per cent of Kiwis of age 65 and greater are still earning more than $100,000 each year. That number drops to 3.6 per cent for $150,000 and 2.1 per cent at $180,000.

Despite these small percentages, Westpac chief economist Kelly Eckhold went on the record earlier this month with an analysis that estimated major savings to the treasury if Australian-style asset testing was introduced; up to one-third of the total superannuation bill.

Mr Eckhold presented the position that if New Zealand adopted the same means and asset tests as Australia, 33 per cent of pensioners living alone would see a reduction in their entitlement, and that more than half of retired couples could see the same. Eighteen per cent of single people and a quarter of couples could lose their superannuation entirely.

Ultimately, the question is one of fairness. Pensioners have paid taxes for

long, often arduous working lives. Should there be more support for those who are not currently still working and earning large amounts, offset by lower payments of those who do still work, or receive large dividends from investments or property?

It’s an issue that’s not going away, and one which deserves your extreme scrutiny ahead of the ballot.

Expect the issue of superannuation to be one which is addressed by policy statements from all major parties. ¢

Stay exactly where you belong

Mangawhai isn’t somewhere you arrive by accident. It’s a place you’ ve chosen, and built your life around. So when it’s time to think about what’s next, why leave?

The Tides is Mangawhai’s first retirement village, designed to help you stay connected to the place you love An all-villa village, offers thoughtfully designed homes with space, privacy, and a real sense of independence. With everything close at hand, it’s a place where you can keep living the Mangawhai lifestyle you know and enjoy

Choice of two or three-bedrooms with a

with

Seamless

with patio

Retirement & Lifestyle

Generations learn from each other

u by Liz Clark

For many, hitting that 50-plus mark where employment opportunities

I’m writing from first-hand experience about the reality of applying for jobs one after another and failing to get any reply at all. Being unemployed through redundancy due to an economic downturn didn’t help my self-esteem or faith in myself that I had the ability to try something new.

One day, an advert appeared in the very publication I’m writing for. It was right outside of my comfort zone in an industry I had never really thought about entering, let alone considering applying for. I held off applying despite the advert having my name on it, in a metaphorical sense that is. It was one of my then teenage children who pulled me aside.

In her wisdom, seeing my self-doubting about that job that was advertised over the course of four months, she told me to get my CV done and emailed that day. “Mum, your name is written on that job. It’s waiting for you to take it.” Of course, I didn’t believe that at all. Unemployed, low self-esteem and feeling downright

said ‘yeah — right’.

A day later, I had a call from the company to come in for an interview. My nerves were frayed. I was full of anxiety and made a few muck-ups in the test I was given to do because I had applied to be a proofreader. That was way outside my comfort zone — so far outside of it I wondered at the time what business I had at all even being there.

To cut a long story short, I got the job and a journey with a company (and its later successor) where I grew as a person and in confidence. Readers see my articles now and then published here in

these weekly pages and in the other four rural mastheads my employer publishes with pride. As I’m approaching that 65 age bracket, I have no intention of retiring. The team I’m with is intergenerational

and we support each other across the board. I’m still learning and will be for a lifetime yet. A word of advice — listen to other generations too. They’re wiser than we think. ¢

DARGAVILLE 14 Cobham Avenue

Family Home or Investment Ready

Well-maintained and move-in ready, this sunny family home offers open plan living with great town views Enjoy an east-facing deck for morning coffee, while a covered patio on the opposite side flows to a spacious backyard. The tidy kitchen connects easily to open plan living areas, and the home includes three double bedrooms, family bathroom, separate toilet and laundry. A log burner, heat pump and insulation ensure comfort. With a tandem garage, carport, easy-care grounds, and room to add value, this is a smart buy for families or investors. 3 1 3

AGENT OF THE WEEK

CALL TO TALK ABOUT YOUR PROPERTY GOALS TODAY

With nearly a decade of experience, Cindy brings honesty, trust and genuine care to ever y proper ty journey She’s proud to be family and communityfocused, helping people move confidently into their next chapter, with a proven record of success Providing reliable, honest advice backed by strong local k nowledge, work ing to achieve the best possible price while keeping the process smooth and stress-free Her passion for photography, gardening and interior decorating allows her to help present your proper ty at its ver y best From preparing your home for sale through to securing that impor tant agreement, Cindy will be with you ever y step of the way

u by Paul Campbell

National survey result Luminaries of earth and sky

National polling is a general election standard and new information has also been released in a poll with particular interest for the average Kiwi dinner table.

Whether they’re eaten straight from the paper, tucked into buttered bread or drowned in tomato sauce, hot chips remain one of New Zealand’s mostloved comfort foods. New nationwide research has revealed exactly how Kiwis like to enjoy them — with a simple sprinkle of salt coming out on top.

Commissioned by Potatoes New Zealand, the poll surveyed more than 1,100 New Zealanders about the Kiwi favourite fish and chips, found 31 per cent prefer to ‘just add salt’ to their hot chips, closely followed by plenty of tomato sauce at 29 per cent.

Others like to make a meal of it: 19 per cent enjoy hot chips in bread and butter as a classic ‘chip butty’, while 12 per cent prefer vinegar and 2 per cent reach for Worcestershire sauce.

Hot chips also stand out in their own right, with 16 per cent saying they are the real stars and just 1 per cent saying they do not like them.

Potatoes New Zealand chief executive Kate Trufitt said more than half the domestic potato harvest goes into processing for hot chips or fries.

“We know there’s very strong demand for domestically-grown potatoes for processing for hot chips, so it’s interesting to see this research showing how people

enjoy eating them. Long may that Friday night fish and chips tradition continue.

“Potatoes make a significant contribution to New Zealander’s diets because of their valuable nutritional status. Most New Zealanders get around 30 per cent of their vitamin C requirement from potatoes and they are a very good source of potassium.”

The research found 83 per cent of participants associated fish and chips strongly or fairly strongly with New Zealand culture or Kiwi identity.

For many New Zealanders, Friday night fish and chips still evoke a classic Kiwi tradition (46%), paper-wrapped hot chips (40%) and the welcome relief of a night off cooking (38%).

There are over 150 commercial potato growers in New Zealand with a growing area of about 10,000 hectares. ¢

u by Amy Fifita

Mangawhai Museum is celebrating two types of lights this time of year — the new lamp installations on the building’s exterior and Matariki.

“Adding customisable lighting technology to our iconic building will allow us to mark a range of historical dates, events and cultural celebrations relevant to Mangawhai, its surrounds, and our diverse communities,” said manager Angela Cook.

“Not only will the colour of the lights help us tell stories, but the lights being there is also a story of our community’s strength and proof of how we rally.”

Pairing up with Mitch from Juniper Electrical, the vision took shape, with the Mangawhai Lions stepping in to fund a portion of the project. Angela says the team is doing their best to lift the look of the museum and to safeguard the community taonga.

“Thank you to Andy Wintle from Placemakers for giving us paint, and the Lions for painting our planters to tidy them up.”

Another connection for the community and the museum: people from near

and far gathered at the museum to celebrate Matariki.

“Te Whai Community Trust has long carried the torch at Matariki, putting in incredible amounts of effort to see it honoured in our community, and I’m excited to see the passing of that torch being picked up by so many here.”

To acknowledge the cultural day, visitors had the opportunity to engage in tikanga activities, including crafts and Whetū face-painting, amongst day-today activities like mau rākau, a model wharenui, poi and the huhu grub game. ¢

July

Kia Roha — Tue 14 July 9am–1.30pm. Free hearing checks and subsidized equipment options. Meet lovely Dani from Your Way Kia Roha. Held at Heartland Services, Whanau Focus Building, 61 Victoria St. Essential First Aid Training — 15 July, 9am–4.30pm, Dargaville Museum. Bookings essential register at volunteeringnorthland.nz/events. $60 per person. Phone 0800 865 268.

Whare Awhina Community Law — Wed 15 July 10am–1pm. Free legal advice clinic. Drop into Heartland Services, Whanau Focus Building, 61 Victoria St for more information. Bookings essential 09 439 7009 or 021 245 3765.

Craft Market — Friday 17th July, 5pm–7pm. Empire Luncheonette, Hokianga Rd. New, homemade and upcycled crafts for sale. Stalls available. Contact Yvette for more details 021 0810 3848.

Southern FRC Fundraiser Night! — Friday 17 July. Free Community Dinner 6pm.

Matakohe Community Potluck Dinner — Saturday 18th July, 5.30pm. All welcome.

ACC Te Ara Tuhono — Mon 20 July 10am–2pm. Te Ara Tuhono are here to help you process your claim and support you through the process. Heartland Services, Whanau Focus Building, 61 Victoria St. 09 439 7009 or 021 245 3765.

Family Court Navigator — Tue 21 July 10am–2pm. Joesephine provides support and guidance to help individuals understand and prepare for Family Court processes. Drop into Heartland Services, Whanau Focus Building, 61 Victoria St. 09 439 7009 or 021 245 3765.

Best Practice Grants Workshop — Wednesday, 22nd July for Community Organisations. A morning workshop, bookings essential, $20 per person.

Learn best practice processes, further expectations, application writing tips and have a clear plan on where your community organisation needs to focus its attention to improve grants success. suec@dcdb.nz.

Trivia Night — Friday 25 July, 5pm for dinner, 7pm for Trivia. Northern Wairoa Boating Club fundraiser for Coastguard North Kaipara. Teams of 2–6 players, $10 per person.

Inland Revenue Clinic — Tue 28 Jul. Bookings Essential! Heartland Services, Whanau Focus Building, 61 Victoria St. 09 439 7009 or 021 245 3765.

WED 15 4:48am (0.4m) 10:59am (3.3m) 5:07pm (0.4m) 11:24pm (3.5m) THU 16 5:39am (0.4m) 11:49am (3.3m) 5:55pm (0.4m) FRI 17 12:12am (3.5m) 6:26am (0.4m) 12:36pm (3.3m) 6:41pm (0.4m) SAT 18 12:57am (3.5m) 7:12am

Phone: 09 439 6933 or 0800 466 793 Email: info@rml.nz

Postal Address: PO Box 474, Dargaville Physical Address: 107 River Road, Dargaville

Editor: Andy Bryenton

Journalists: Andy Bryenton 021 439 947 | Amy Fifita 027 259 6455 | Paul Campbell

Advertising: Olivia Green 027 525 8197 | Sue Girven 027 525 7984

Classifieds: 09 439 6933 | info@rml.nz

Production: Gavin Bainbridge | Marnie Fuller | Daniel Foster | Liz Clark

Accounts: accounts@rml.nz

Distribution: Laurie Willetts Printed by: NZME Website: kaiparalifestyler.co.nz THE KAIPARA LIFESTYLER IS PUBLISHED WITH PRIDE BY RURAL MATTERS LTD, A PRIVATELY OWNED KAIPARA COMPANY.

19 4:52am (0.4m) 11:11am (2.6m) 5:05pm (0.5m) 11:34pm (2.6m) MON 20 5:42am (0.5m) 12:00pm (2.6m) 5:55pm (0.6m)

TUE 21 12:22am (2.6m) 6:30am (0.6m) 12:49pm (2.4m) 6:47pm (0.8m)

PUZZLE

66 Deep-rooted, ingrained (10)

68 Staggered (6)

69 Worships (6)

71 Evaluated (9)

76 Powerful (6)

77 Easily set on fire (9)

79 Rested after work (7)

81 Chopping tool (3)

84 Keyboard instrument (5)

85 Appeal (10)

86 Ceasefire (5)

87 Warning device (5)

88 New York construction (6,2,7)

89 Angle (5) DOWN

2 Lessen (6)

3 Stringed instrument (5)

(3)

(6)

43 Long-established custom (9)

44 Fatuous (5)

(5,3)

(2)

(9)

(4)

64 Thinks the same (6)

65 Make a choice (3)

5 Dutch cheese (4)

6 Diluted (7)

7 Departed (6)

8 Accumulate over time (5)

9 Produced (7)

10 German white wine (4)

11 Flowering shrub (6)

12 Claw (5)

13 Nab (7)

14 Put on clothes (7)

18 Sport displaying strength, balance and agility (10)

23 Circular course (5)

24 Hide (7)

26 No cigar (anag)(7)

27 Window cover (7)

29 Slow-moving ice mass (7)

30 Lodging house (6)

31 Stanza (5)

32 US island state (6)

34 Steel pin (4)

36 Religious brother (5)

38 Begin again (5)

40 Accompanying (4)

45 Debit (anag)(5)

46 Non-attendance (7)

47 Interweave (4)

48 Flag (6)

49 Medication (5)

50 Surpasses (7)

52 Criteria for course of action (10)

53 Two-wheeler (7)

54 Followed orders (6)

55 Appendices (7)

56 As above (5)

57 Otherwise (4)

62 Tempest (5)

67 Refer to (7)

68 Recovery setback (7)

70 Let go (7)

72 Artist’s paint board (7)

73 Chess piece (6)

74 African expedition (6)

75 Signal fire (6)

76 Oyster gem (5)

78 Stitched design (5)

80 Month (5)

82 Single undivided whole (4)

83 Horned animal (4)

ACROSS: 1 Octet, 4 Warm to one’s work, 11 Add to, 14 Ivory, 15 Inescapable, 16 Initiate, 19 Presume, 20 Scout, 21 Genealogy, 24 Fool’s gold, 26 Mocked, 27 Unlock, 31 Cater, 32 Sporadic, 34 Philosophy, 38 Serious, 39 Prague, 40 Ornate, 41 True, 42 Anagram, 45 Bloodhound, 50 Drooled, 54 Hype, 55 Fright, 56 Penned, 57 Co-pilot, 60 Directions, 61 Straying, 62 Coped, 65 Tongue, 66 Gifted, 67 Quickness, 72 Struggled, 73 Weeds, 74 Soldier, 79 Becoming, 80 Destruction, 81 Stare, 82 Ebbed, 83 Pins and needles, 84 Cycle. DOWN: 2 Covert, 3 Earns, 5 Aunt, 6 Musical, 7 Opaque, 8 Near, 9 Solvency, 10 Kindle, 11 Antagonism, 12 Drag, 13 Obelisk, 17 Small, 18 Telephoned, 22 Egypt, 23 Corporal, 25 Opening, 26 Macbeth, 28 Cavern, 29 Adagio, 30 Elated, 33 Rural, 35 Yield, 36 Tuba, 37 Tofu, 42 Ached, 43 Apparent, 44 Margin, 45 Beginnings, 46 Oath, 47 Deposed, 48 Owners, 49 Needy, 51 Room, 52 Ominous, 53 Erodes, 58 Accustomed, 59 Snack, 63 Etcetera, 64 Envoy, 65 Thimble, 68 Updated, 69 Turnip, 70 Rebuke, 71 Petrol, 75 Ditty, 76 Scab, 77 Stud, 78 Robe. 5x5

Insert the missing letters to complete ten words — five across the grid and five down. More than one solution may be possible.

KAIPARA SERVICE DIRECTORY

KAIPARA SERVICE DIRECTORY

CLASSIFIEDS PHONE 09 439 6933

FOR SALE

CARAVAN EWOF (and marine). Call your local inspector today at A+ Electrical Inspections and Security on 021 240 6764.

DRONE FISHING gear. Backbones, traces, sinkers etc. All new gear. For more information phone or text Trevor 022 596 0265.

TOP SOIL, conditioned top quality. 100% suitable for vege gardens or new lawns. $95 per m³ onto your trailer, or truck deliveries available for larger orders. Phone 021 132 4107 or 09 439 5141.

CHURCH NOTICES

DARGAVILLE CHURCH OF THE NAZARENE, 4 Grey Street. Church service on every Sunday at 3pm. Bible study/prayer Wednesday from 4.30pm–7pm, call Moses 021 248 8910. Support group: Celebrate Recovery from all addictions. Friday 5.30pm–8pm, call Gary 021 174 8737.

FENCING

FENCING, ALL types of fencing, pool, stockyards, post & rail, boundary plus… call Jeff 027 476 5458.

FIREWOOD FOR SALE

FIREWOOD — dry hot mix $120/m³, delivered free to Dargaville & surrounding areas. Phone or TXT Henry 021 734 906.

FOR RENT

TWO BEDROOM unit in Town close to Supermarket. References required. $380 per week. Phone 027 536 2594.

NURSERIES & PLANTS

GOT2GO PLANTS – Shrubs, tress, shelter and hedging ready now from $1. Protea leucospermums only $15. Lamandra tamika just arrived special $5. Lamandra little con .30 x .30 special $5. Got2Go Plants, 55 West Coast Road, open 10am to 4pm Tuesday (Closed Wednesday) reopen Thursday to Saturday. EFTPOS available. Phone 09 439 5556 or 027 488 3400.

Closing date for classified advertising for the July 21 2026 edition is Monday, July 20 2026

PERSONAL

SINGLE? OVER 40? Meet other interesting, intelligent, genuine people just like yourself. Dine out ‘Dinner for Six’. Phone 021 639 552.

PET SUPPLIES

PET DOORS — Cat Doors, Dog Doors for Glass or Timber — supplied and installed. Phone 027 275 0918 or 09 439 6458 Kevin Sowter or visit my website: windowanddoors.co.nz — Window & Door Services Ltd.

SECURITY

SECURE YOUR Home — security doors, grills, locks, bolts, stays, latches — supplied and installed. Phone 027 275 0918 or 09 439 6458 — Kevin Sowter or visit my website: www.windowanddoors.co.nz — Window & Door Services Ltd.

SEPTIC TANK SERVICES

KAIPARA SEPTIC Services – Commercial and Domestic Septic Tank cleaning. Fully compliant with Kaipara and Whangarei Councils. Prompt, Professional service. Phone 027 246 8791.

MAGIC PROPERTY Services Ltd. SEPTIC TANK CLEANING. UNDER NEW OWNERSHIP. DON’T WAIT UNTIL IT’S POO LATE! PH: 021 290 0442.

TRADES & SERVICES

CARPENTER/RENOVATOR specialising in General Repairs & Maintenance, and Kitchen Installs. (30yrs senior experience). Contact Mark 027 603 8323 or info@alteredestates.co.nz.

TREE SERVICES

TREE REMOVAL, pruning, chipping & stump grinding. Qualified & insured. Phone Scott 0800 468 9663 Arborcare Tree Maintenance.

SITUATIONS VACANT

CARPET CLEANING, repairs, re-stretching, and patching. Flood drying and small carpet laying work and upholstery cleaning. Very fussy and reasonable prices. Phone Darren, Alltrades Carpet Services 0800 425 587 or 027 286 8584. Dargaville & surrounds.

Dairy farm Position

Fixed term. Must have experience milking and feeding out silage. Approximately 150 cows. Be fit and reliable. Start July. 13 km from Dargaville. Ph: 027 439 5302

PUBLIC NOTICES

KAIPARA GREY Power invites everyone to our next Public Meeting on Friday 17th July. Come and hear Katy Scoullar and Mark Bell tell us more about the Kaiwaikawe Wind Farm as it develops. The venue is Dargaville Methodist Church Complex. The format is at 1pm our President Stewart Quirk then at around 1.15pm Katy and Mark.

19th March 1953 - 6th July 2026 Kevin passed away at Dargaville Hospital unexpectedly last week. His funeral service was held at Redhill cemetery last Saturday. Our family would like to thank everyone for their condolences, love and contributions. Kevin will be greatly missed by his wife Sue, children Cindy, Kyle, Michelle and Mark, Tanya and Ollie and his grandchildren Annabel, Hazel, Tayla and Elias Kevin, as well as all family and friends who knew him. Forever loved and always in our hearts.