News in Brief

 

Get fire smart
Fires can and do start from the smallest spark - especially in rural and semi-rural areas during the summer. Go to the new Fire and Emergency NZ website checkitsalright.nz to find out how to protect yourself against potential wildfires.

If you’re considering lighting a fire outdoors, it will tell you how to do it safely, whether you need a permit, and direct you to our fire permit site to apply.

The website also provides advice on other spark generating activities like ploughing, mowing and grinding for those planning to work on the land. Also see timely summer advice to rural and semi-rural people on how to protect their homes, before the fire season begins, by clearing anything that could burn away from the house.

Surf the radio waves
By popular demand, the surf music series ‘Hang Five’ is back again on Heads 106.4FM this summer. On air every day at 11.30am and then later during the ‘60s at 6’, starting Friday December 27.

Wax up your surfboard, get ready to walk the plank and get your toes on the nose... or just sit back, relax in the sun and get the wax out of your ears for some of the great surf tunes from the short-lived surf music genre, coupled with a brief background about why some of these songs have ended up to be timeless classics.

Enjoy on air, online or on any smart device!

Let the games begin! The iconic Waipu Highland Games are just a few weeks away – the most entertaining way to start the new decade, January 1, 2020. This year at least four women have entered the newly created woman’s division. The Kids Clan Club is a real winner. For $5 any child can buy a t-shirt which lets them into the children’s activities for free and into the march in to the main arena at lunchtime, including a draw for three lucky children to win $500 worth of prizes donated by Rebel Sport. Pipers, dancers, fiddlers, heavyweights and drummers can now enter online. Check out waipughighlandgames.co.nz or follow on Facebook.