27th April Issue 2020

Over the past two months we have fended off a barrage of rabid and emotive media reports, statistics, analyses, conspiracy theories, innuendos and accusations relating to Covid-19 so now let’s look past all that to the most important aspect – people. 

 

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Kia ora, out Alert Level 4 has been extraordinary. Kaipara residents are to be congratulated for getting through this without any major disturbances, for staying home and keeping people safe, and for keeping hands washed! Well done everyone.
 

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Mayor Dr Jason Smith says he has heard from many people who are finding it tough and that the Council is going the extra mile to provide support.

 

 

 

Real New Zealanders? It is with interest I note a group of ‘New Zealanders’ have shattered the rules of the lockdown.
Covid-19 virus The deadly Covid-19 virus is rapidly spreading.
Choose life So we’ve closed our borders against Coronavirus, and fair enough.
Road review needed I’ve read the article comments from people who experience the road 
Community spirit As stranded British tourists we want to say a huge thank you 

 

 

Smiles and children’s excitement flowed as Mangawhai Beach School Kapa haka group performed at Tara Iti Golf Club’s annual Kiwi Invitational tournament last month.


 

 

 

Hold off applying for a permit for an outdoor fire until the lockdown is over says Steve Turek, Fire and Emergency national manager, Community Readiness and Recovery.  We all want to get odd jobs done and clean up while we have more time at home, but please do not burn unnecessary fires such as household rubbish or garden waste he says.
 

 

 

We are told that we are in the midst of a pandemic. This is undoubtedly true but it is not as advertised. It is rather a plague of fear and delusion. Anyone with a little spare time, and most should have plenty, should turn off the fake news and do a little research.

 

 

Northland councils are encouraging ratepayers experiencing financial hardship to contact them if they are unable to pay rates invoices being sent to property owners over the coming week. 
 

 

Patrolling east-Kaipara’s locked-down communities has been mostly positive. Wellsford and Mangawhai Sergeant Rainier Coetzee says that overall staff have found that the large majority of the community have been complying with the Alert Level 4 restrictions.
 

 

 

 

Like a scene from 1985 New Zealand post-apocalyptic science fiction film The Quiet Earth, locals are witnessing eerie scenes of traffic-free streets, shops and services closed, and empty child-free playgrounds. 

 

 

Valuable foods we need to eat right now are those that are seasonal and fresh, but with the vegetable garden looking pretty sparse and limited access to fresh produce what’s next best?

 

 

 

Northpower Fibre will waive its monthly wholesale connection charges for families with school-aged children living in homes without broadband connectivity on its ultra-fast fibre network. 

 

 

Westpac NZ is donating an extra $1 million to support New Zealand's rescue helicopters, which are facing a serious fundraising shortfall due to the impacts of Covid-19.