897 days ago

Woman breaches Auckland border, gets car stuck in endangered bird nesting site

Caroline Williams Reporter from Whangārei Leader

Kia ora neighbours. A woman who breached Auckland's Covid border ended up having to be rescued, after her vehicle got stuck in a sand dune at the nesting site of the country’s rarest endemic bird.

According to the Department of Conservation (DOC), the woman and her dog stayed overnight in the vehicle after it got stuck in sand at the Mangawhai wildlife refuge last weekend.

DOC manager Craig Deal said the police were called and DOC compliance officers will be following up with the woman, over her entering a wildlife refuge with a vehicle and a dog, both of which are prohibited and carry an $800 infringement notice.

The site is one of four tara iti (fairy tern) nesting sites located just north of Auckland, and protected by Northland Reserves Bylaws.

With a population of fewer than 40 birds, the birds have been near extinction since the 1980s and require a lot of human help to ensure their survival.

The attached video from the 2020 breeding season shows the steps taken to protect fairy tern eggs during a storm. (Video credit: Ricky Wilson/Stuff)

More messages from your neighbours
6 days ago

Poll: Does the building consent process need to change?

The Team from Neighbourly.co.nz

We definitely need homes that are fit to live in but there are often frustrations when it comes to getting consent to modify your own home.
Do you think changes need made to the current process for building consent? Share your thoughts below.

Type 'Not For Print' if you wish your comments to be excluded from the Conversations column of your local paper.

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Does the building consent process need to change?
  • 91.4% Yes
    91.4% Complete
  • 8.1% No
    8.1% Complete
  • 0.5% Other - I'll share below!
    0.5% Complete
1489 votes
3 days ago

Lest we forget...

The Team from Neighbourly.co.nz

On this ANZAC Day, let's take a moment to remember and honor the brave men and women who have served and continue to serve our country.

Tell us who are you honouring today. Whether it's a story from the battlefield or a memory of a family member who fought in the war, we'd love you to share your stories below.

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1 day ago

Whangarei Film Society - screenings for Thursday May 9th

Geoff from Central Whangarei

Good People

Please note: There are NO screenings by WFS at Forum North on Thursday 2nd May due to the venue being unavailable.

But on Thursday, 9th May at 6pm, WFS will be screening a behind-the-scenes doco on the greatest racing driver of his time, Sir Jackie Stewart.

Our 8pm screening will be the film version of the best-selling book, Are you there God? It's me, Margaret.

JACKIE STEWART
UK, 2023, Documentary, 95 mins

This documentary shines a light on Formula 1 World Champion, team owner and legend of the sport, Sir Jackie Stewart.

Using previously unseen footage, Sir Jackie’s life is detailed from his early years in Scotland, to the rush of his first F1 World Championship title in 1969.

Stewart's fame and success was followed by tumultuous times when, despite opposition from those who wanted F1 to be ‘gladiatorial’, Stewart set out to improve racing safety for drivers and pit crews.

"Whether you're a new fan or a lifelong F1 fanatic, this stunning documentary is worth your time." - Race Fans Magazine

View the trailer at: www.youtube.com...

Tickets: Door sales only. Price: $10 for WFS members, $15 for non members.

Cash only please - no Eftpos/credit card services available.

Visit whangareifilmsociety.org and sign up for our free weekly email for information on the rest of our films and screening dates for 2024.