Russell Forest news is brought to you by the team at Whangārei Leader
Recent posts
Thank you for using Neighbourly
We know some of you are facing threatening and potentially harmful times at home right now. Police will be there for you if you call us.
If you are in immediate danger and can’t call 111, leave your house and get out of harm’s way. Get to a safe distance and then ask a neighbour over a fence, … View moreWe know some of you are facing threatening and potentially harmful times at home right now. Police will be there for you if you call us.
If you are in immediate danger and can’t call 111, leave your house and get out of harm’s way. Get to a safe distance and then ask a neighbour over a fence, or a passer-by, to call 111 for you. Your safety comes first.
It’s everybody’s responsibility to speak out and keep each other safe right now. If you think something is not ok with a friend, neighbour, or colleague, it’s okay to call Police on their behalf. The person you’re worried about may not be able to speak up for themselves. You could be saving a life.
For more information or support: www.police.govt.nz...
Thank you to all our essential service workers working tirelessly to ensure our communities are kept safe.
Issac is 81years old and was observed by a member of the public struggling to walk to the supermarket. A quick interaction with Isaac revealed he was in need of some intervention.
Community … View moreThank you to all our essential service workers working tirelessly to ensure our communities are kept safe.
Issac is 81years old and was observed by a member of the public struggling to walk to the supermarket. A quick interaction with Isaac revealed he was in need of some intervention.
Community Constable Reuben Boniface ?♂️ was able to connect Issac with Age Concern Southland and with their assistance provide a care package of cooked meals and loaves of bread to help him through this time ? #kindnessgoesalongway
Advance preparations have begun so Northland landowners keen to protect their properties from erosion can start to do once Central Government eases current restrictions to tackle the Covid-19 pandemic.
Every year about this time the Northland Regional Council (NRC) invites landowners with … View moreAdvance preparations have begun so Northland landowners keen to protect their properties from erosion can start to do once Central Government eases current restrictions to tackle the Covid-19 pandemic.
Every year about this time the Northland Regional Council (NRC) invites landowners with erosion-prone properties from Topuni north to order poplar poles and willows from its 16-hectare nursery for the winter planting season.
Local councillor Rick Stolwerk says best time to plant the trees in Northland is typically during June and July so the council is already working within the confines of the current lockdown in the hope that any associated restrictions will have eased by then.
On that basis the council had this week (subs: Monday 06 April) begun calling for tenders from commercial operators for this year’s harvest and planting at the poplar and willow nursery itself.
Councillor Stolwerk represents the NRC’s Coastal South constituency (which includes the Mata area, south of Whangarei where the nursery is based) and says tender documents can be downloaded from the Government Electronic Tender Service: www.gets.govt.nz...
He says it’s important for anyone considering bidding for the tender realises the council reserves the right to extend the timeframe to award the tender or – in the worst case scenario – cancel tenders altogether depending on the covid-19 lockdown situation.
At the same time, the council is now also urging Northlanders to place orders for the poplars and willows themselves for the upcoming planting season.
The council’s Nursery Co-ordinator Matthew Mabbitt says a three-metre poplar pole will cost $12 (+ GST) and a one-metre shrubby willow pole $4 (+GST) and as with previous years, there is also a small fee for delivery to the farm gate.
“While payment for the poles doesn’t need to be made until Wednesday 20 May, by which time the situation with the pandemic will hopefully be much clearer, the council will actually stop taking orders for poles later this month; on Tuesday 28 April.”
Mr Mabbitt says demand always well exceeds supply and the council expects that’s likely to be the case again this year, despite the current pandemic.
He says the fast-growing trees have broad and binding root systems and have been widely used for years in Northland to prevent and control erosion and cut waterway sediment pollution.
“Although the species used aren’t native, they’re preferable because their rapid growth rates mean they can be starting to control erosion within as little as just three years.”
He says anyone interested in securing poles should contact a member of the council’s land management staff on (0800) 002 004 or email: nursery@nrc.govt.nz to arrange a consultation and develop a free planting plan.
Regional council staff are available to provide this service remotely – without needing to visit properties – thanks to recent investment in high-resolution oblique aerial photos and modern computer-based mapping systems and are still fully operational during the lockdown period.
General information about establishing poplars and willows is also available from the council’s website via: www.nrc.govt.nz...
Your emotional and mental wellbeing is important. It is normal to feel stressed or lonely when self-isolating, but there are some things you can do to feel better.
Even if you are not sick you may be feeling anxious about COVID-19. This is normal.
Reach out to your family and whānau, friends and… View moreYour emotional and mental wellbeing is important. It is normal to feel stressed or lonely when self-isolating, but there are some things you can do to feel better.
Even if you are not sick you may be feeling anxious about COVID-19. This is normal.
Reach out to your family and whānau, friends and workmates. Sharing how we feel and offering support to others is important.
We want to remind you that if you or someone you know is struggling right now, there is free help available.
See below a list of helplines throughout New Zealand ?
Kia Kaha Aotearoa.
The Doctors Kerikeri strive to keep our community informed and healthy.
We are preparing for Flu season 2020. To avoid the spread of flu we would like to take this opportunity to remind our community about preventable measures every day. Simple actions such as washing your hands or staying home … View moreThe Doctors Kerikeri strive to keep our community informed and healthy.
We are preparing for Flu season 2020. To avoid the spread of flu we would like to take this opportunity to remind our community about preventable measures every day. Simple actions such as washing your hands or staying home from work and/or school
when feeling unwell reduces the spread of germs.
If you do become unwell please CALL THE MEDICAL CENTRE FIRST before presenting at the practice. You will be triaged and helped over the phone by one of our clinical staff. If you do need to come into the practice, please follow instructions given to you by our team. This is to ensure the best care for you and others attending the medical centre.
For information regarding COVID19 (Coronavirus) please call the HELP LINE 0800 358 5453
Phone: 09-407 7777
Address: 4 Homestead Road, Kerikeri 0230
Kia ora koutou katoa
As a nation, Aotearoa/New Zealand, we can count ourselves very fortunate in this global crisis. Our natural island isolation, wide-open spaces, abundance of social support and a sensible government that has led us into a timely lock-down to come through this with the best … View moreKia ora koutou katoa
As a nation, Aotearoa/New Zealand, we can count ourselves very fortunate in this global crisis. Our natural island isolation, wide-open spaces, abundance of social support and a sensible government that has led us into a timely lock-down to come through this with the best possible outcomes. We are all doing our best to keep our lives and responsibilities afloat while we isolate in our familiar "bubbles". For our arts community it is a time for reflection and perhaps an invitation for new directions.
Non-essential?
The arts are officially deemed as "non-essential" and so Quarry Arts Centre is closed, now occupied only by the curious wildlife of Pukenui forest. We know art is essential to personal and social well being, and now in many homes this is being expressed in a wealth of creative activity. Fortunately, a lack of options is always inspiring for artists. However, the lock-down is a major disturbance to our workshops schedule, exhibitions and planned events.
Events on pause
All our regular services and events are paused, with the hope to continue where they left-off later.
At this time, all our planned exhibitions must be cancelled for the year. When we get a better sense of the evolving situation, we can look at creating a new exhibition programme going forward, and include our existing exhibitors in novel ways.
Studio Artists Exhibition
The Studio Artists group exhibition that would have started now will be held as the first showing when the curtain lifts. It is with great pride that we can present selected works from our richly talented community of resident artists. We can't wait to announce the opening and look forward to seeing some of you there.
Great Plate
The Great Plate is going ahead for another great year. As we speak, countless plates are being thrown at home and we greatly appreciate the efforts those potters who have generously given their time and energy to help .When we can, contributing artists can collect a plate to make what they will for the Great Plate auction and showcase.
Clay and glaze supplies
To our ceramics art community; we encourage you to place your clay and glaze orders with us now.
Most artists will be running out of their favourite supplies while thinking about what to make next. Place your orders now and we will put them aside for you. Or we'll let you know we've ordered more and when to expect the next shipment.
Maybe this way we can "flatten the curve" of panic-ceramics-buying and gracefully sail into practice with a renewed enthusiasm.
Kiln service
Our kiln-service is also on pause and will resume when we re-open. To avoid overloading the waiting-shelves in the kiln room, we ask that if you have work to fire, please let us know before you bring it in and we will get back to you swiftly about when is a good time. Once the kilns are firing again, Israel and the team will be making haste to work through everyone's pieces.
Back Soon
Keep caring for each other while we isolate and keep the creativity and humour flowing. We look forward to seeing everyone again soon, re-emerging in good spirits.
Haere ra,
The Quarry Team
Hey neighbours, it was great to see so many of you at our live lunch with NZ Home and Garden and NZ Gardener editors Naomi Larkin and Jo McCarroll. Thanks for stopping by :)
If you missed it, you can still drop in for a recap and see if Jo and Naomi answered your questions, here.
There are 2 dogs that look like they may have swum the river wandering along the end of Riverview Rd. They are very friendly one is a small heading pup the other a red colour. For more information phone 021818499
Hello neighbours, our editor Jo McCarroll is hosting another Live Lunch today (with colleague Naomi who edits NZ House & Garden), so jump online between 12.30 and 1pm to join them. You can ask questions in advance, so start firing through your gardening questions and pictures of your garden or … View moreHello neighbours, our editor Jo McCarroll is hosting another Live Lunch today (with colleague Naomi who edits NZ House & Garden), so jump online between 12.30 and 1pm to join them. You can ask questions in advance, so start firing through your gardening questions and pictures of your garden or the projects you've been tackling over lockdown anytime you like!
More police are being sent to the Far North to educate on the coronavirus lockdown rules after prominent doctor Lance O'Sullivan called the lockdown 'a joke' in Kaitaia - where people were driving around. What do you think? Would you mind being stopped by police if you go into town … View moreMore police are being sent to the Far North to educate on the coronavirus lockdown rules after prominent doctor Lance O'Sullivan called the lockdown 'a joke' in Kaitaia - where people were driving around. What do you think? Would you mind being stopped by police if you go into town for genuine reasons?
Freedom campers around the Whangārei district are being rounded up to two central Whangārei spots so police can keep an eye on them and ensure their needs are met. This comes as the number of cases in Northland hits double-digits, with 11 as of Thursday , with latest information available here. … View moreFreedom campers around the Whangārei district are being rounded up to two central Whangārei spots so police can keep an eye on them and ensure their needs are met. This comes as the number of cases in Northland hits double-digits, with 11 as of Thursday , with latest information available here. What do you think of the way freedom campers are treated? What alternative would you suggest?
Water restrictions relaxed for Paihia
Level 4 water restrictions for the Far North District Council’s Paihia-Opua-Waitangi supply will be reduced to Level 3 from today. All other restrictions in the district remain unchanged.
Paihia-Opua-Waitangi was one of five council supplies placed on the … View moreWater restrictions relaxed for Paihia
Level 4 water restrictions for the Far North District Council’s Paihia-Opua-Waitangi supply will be reduced to Level 3 from today. All other restrictions in the district remain unchanged.
Paihia-Opua-Waitangi was one of five council supplies placed on the highest possible Level 4 restrictions allowing for essential water use only. The reduction to Level 3 still bans the use of outdoor hoses, but permits households and businesses connected to Council supplies to water gardens and wash cars or boats from a bucket. Filling private swimming pools from Council supplies is not permitted.
General Manager – Infrastructure and Asset Management, Andy Finch says relaxing restrictions for this one supply was possible because the Waitangi River is a substantial waterway and the one water source not subject Northland Regional Council water flow consent limits. Paihia has also seen a reduction in the number of tourists reducing the overall demand.
“Our water treatment plant was working at capacity, so we needed residents and businesses to significantly reduce their water consumption. They have achieved that, and we can now relax restrictions on this supply. Unfortunately, all our other water sources remain seriously depleted and are running well below consented limits. We cannot relax restrictions on these until they have recovered. This will require significant rainfall.”
Water supplies that remain on Level 4 restrictions are Omanaia-Rawene, Kawakawa-Moerewa, Kaikohe-Ngawha, and Kaitaia. The Paihia-Opua-Waitangi supply joins Kerikeri-Waipapa and Opononi-Omapere on Level 3 restrictions. Okaihau remains the only supply on Level 2 restrictions.
Lockdown is a stressful and difficult time for many and showing kindness can go a long way in brightening someone’s day. Be Neighbourly and spread positivity, we all know there’s plenty of that on Neighbourly!
Need help or can you support someone in need? … View moreLockdown is a stressful and difficult time for many and showing kindness can go a long way in brightening someone’s day. Be Neighbourly and spread positivity, we all know there’s plenty of that on Neighbourly!
Need help or can you support someone in need? Reach out to your Neighbours here now.
● Wash your hands.
● Use cough and sneeze etiquette.
● Respect self-isolation.
These are only some of the ways that you can keep yourself and your Neighbours safe!
We are looking for seniors 65+ to take part in a short questionnaire to help us improve our website. The questions will take no longer than 3 minutes to complete and no personal information is required. The winner of a $50 Prezzy Card will be drawn at random on 27 April and contacted directly.
… View moreWe are looking for seniors 65+ to take part in a short questionnaire to help us improve our website. The questions will take no longer than 3 minutes to complete and no personal information is required. The winner of a $50 Prezzy Card will be drawn at random on 27 April and contacted directly.
Visit www.readerstours.co.nz and spend a few minutes browsing our website. Think about the pages you would visit and the information you would like to see in order to book your next adventure! When you are ready, click here to complete our questionnaire.
Thank you, your feedback is greatly appreciated.
Ts&Cs apply.
© Neighbourly 2025
Loading…