Our Blog: News

Migrating kiwi discover Promised Land

A leading Hawke’s Bay conservation trust restoring 4,000 hectares of former pine forest to native bush has reported an unplanned benefit. Kiwi from the neighbouring Maungataniwha Native Forest are starting to call the re-vegetating former pine block home. Breeding pairs have been observed migrating there from the old-growth forest. The kiwi population on the Forest […]

Northport expansion could create 2,600 new jobs – report

An independent report into the social and economic potential of plans for expansion at Northport says about 1,500 new jobs could be created in and around Marsden Point, in Whangārei and around the wider Northland region by growing the container port. A proposed shipyard and floating drydock on the port’s western boundary could be the catalyst for […]

New fossil discovered in Hawke’s Bay biodiversity hotspot

Fossil hunters scouring the streams of one of this country’s palaeontology hotspots have found rare evidence of an ancient marine mammal. The find, most likely a vertebra from a small whale, is somewhere between 16 and 19 million years old and experts from GNS Science say it adds to the picture of New Zealand’s past […]

Opportunity knocks for rugby clubs and communities

A Northland rugby charity is creating opportunity for dozens of rugby clubs across the region to boost health, wellbeing, education and employment in their communities. The initiative could ultimately be mirrored right around the country. Rugby for Life will run four or five major initiatives each year to strengthen communities and give young Northlanders a […]

Forest Lifeforce Restoration Trust passes 500 kiwi milestone

A leading Hawke’s Bay conservation trust has reached a kiwi milestone by releasing its 500th kiwi back into the bush. Over the weekend (28 and 29 May) the Forest Lifeforce Restoration Trust released nine young birds into the bush at its Pohokura property in central Hawke’s Bay, one of which was number 500. Kiwi chicks […]

Aged care in Northland at breaking point

Rest-home operators in Northland are calling on local Members of Parliament to ensure that the country’s “broken” system of funding for aged care is addressed in the 2022 Budget to be announced on Thursday next week. They have warned that the government’s decision to pay nurses working in hospitals over $22,000 a year more than […]

Marsden Maritime Holdings starts due diligence on investment in Whangarei conference and events development

Northland property and infrastructure developer Marsden Maritime Holdings (MMH) said today it had signed an expression of interest with Northland Development Corporation (NDC), subject to due diligence, to purchase the land under the proposed the Oruku Landing conference and multi-events centre on the Hātea River waterfront in Whangārei. Under the terms of the $10m deal […]

Marsden Maritime Holdings – Third Quarter trading update

In February 2022 Marsden Maritime Holdings Limited (NZX:MMH) released its interim results which showed a 11.5 % reduction in net profit after tax, for the six month period ended 31 December 2021, compared with the same period last year. The company commented at the time that softer trading conditions for its 50% owned Northport joint […]

Rare duck makes Hawke’s Bay come-back

Rare whio (Blue Duck) are returning to the streams of inland Hawke’s Bay following devastating snowstorms in August 2016 and subsequent flooding. An annual survey of streams in the Maungataniwha Native Forest conducted in November last year by the Department of Conservation and the Forest Lifeforce Restoration Trust shows that whio numbers have recovered to […]

Retirement Village flags risks posed by towering Redwoods

Kerikeri Retirement Village has once again formally flagged to the Far North District Council its concerns about giant Redwoods on a neighbouring reserve that it says threaten the safety of those who live and work at the Village. It is calling for Council to undertake thorough tests to check the condition of the tree trunks […]

Rosie Mercer appointed CEO of Marsden Maritime Holdings Ltd

Marsden Maritime Holdings Ltd has appointed Rosie Mercer chief executive officer, effective 1 July 2022. “I am thrilled that Rosie will be taking up this important role as we play our part in transforming Northland’s economy,” said chairman Murray Jagger. “Rosie and the Board are committed to delivering on our vision and serving our customers […]

Kerikeri Retirement Village appoints new village manager

Kerikeri Retirement Village has appointed Grant Cochran village manager. He replaces long-time incumbent Frances Shaw. Mr Cochran is a Registered Nurse with a clinical background in intensive care. He has extensive management experience including five years as nurse manager at Bay of Islands Hospital in Kawakawa where he helped to develop the new hospital. He […]

Expansion at Northport – status update

The Board of Northport Ltd has confirmed its intention to lodge its resource consent application for expansion at its eastern end, while continuing to develop plans for the proposed shipyard and dry-dock on its western side. The eastern development covers 13 hectares for additional container storage, handling and transportation. It is where Northport proposes to […]

Northport signs on to PortConnect

Northport has joined the PortConnect platform in a move to streamline its container management capability. The port is experiencing a significant increase in container calls and expects this to grow further in coming years. The first step in Northport’s adoption of the PortConnect platform is the initial roll-out of the Clear Container module and support […]

Marsden Maritime Holdings – interim profit announcement

Marsden Maritime Holdings Ltd (NZX:MMH) has recorded a net profit of $4.6 million for the interim six-month reporting period ending 31 December 2021, down ($0.6 million) from the same period last year. Over the past six months revenue from the company’s property and marina operations has continued to grow, up 9% on the corresponding period […]

Bay of Islands tourism predicts “devastating” summer

Destination marketing group shuts doors to hibernate Marketing cash to be spent on “survival” Tourism operators in the Bay of Islands are worried that summer trade will be “devastated” following the decision to keep Northland at red settings in the COVID Protection Framework, and the impact of the national discussion surrounding the check points keeping […]

Hockey Northland and Ngati Hine Health set new vax record

On Saturday Hockey Northland became the first organisation to get more than 300 people vaccinated as part of the Northland-wide ‘Take 2 for The Team’ initiative. The organisation teamed up with Ngati Hine Health and the Whanau Ora vaccination ‘battalion’ at McKay Stadium in Whangarei to push the vaccinations through, earning itself more than $3,000 […]

Cash injection for ‘Pine to natives’ forest conversion project  

  The country’s largest ‘pine to natives’ forest conversion project has been given a $15,000 cash injection by a leading producer of radiata pine products. The initiative by Hawke’s Bay-based Forest Lifeforce Restoration Trust (FLRT) is converting the former Maungataniwha Pine Forest into 4,000 hectares of regenerating native forest and now has the financial backing […]

‘Take 2 for the team’: Northland rugby wants 90 percent of the region jabbed by Christmas

Northland’s rugby community is banding together with eight Māori health providers and other sporting codes to boost the uptake of COVID-19 vaccinations across the region. It is launching today (Wednesday 22 September) an initiative that will see local sporting clubs earn money by encouraging vaccinations among players and their families, particularly those living in hard-to-reach […]

Record numbers for Hawke’s Bay kiwi conservation programme

The Forest Lifeforce Restoration Trust has returned a record 53 juvenile kiwi to the Hawke’s Bay hinterland following its 2020/2021 egg-lifting season, up nine on its previous best. The result follows a disappointing season last year in which dry conditions resulted in kiwi right across the North Island producing fewer eggs than normal. Conditions at […]

Feral dogs undermine Hawke’s Bay kiwi conservation efforts

  Dogs have mauled at least one kiwi, probably more, on a central Hawke’s Bay property owned by the Forest Lifeforce Restoration Trust and home to one of this country’s most prolific kiwi conservation programmes. Two hounds, believed to have been feral for at least six months, killed a young female kiwi last month (June) […]

Northport investing in further container-handling capability

Northport is investing $8m in infrastructure needed to support the growth of container traffic through the port. It is buying container-handling equipment and a simulator module to train staff in its operation, expanding its container storage area and upgrading its lighting to enhance safety during 24-hour operations. The company is forecasting a 15 percent year-on-year […]

AI venture studio spins off its first brain-child

Venture studio Nelson Artificial Intelligence (NAI), a provider of artificial intelligence (AI) solutions for thorny environmental challenges, has spun off its first business after securing a $1.8 million investment in technology that gives landowners streamlined access to forest carbon credit markets. Tauranga-based WNT Ventures has backed the spin-off, CarbonCrop, to compete globally in the large […]

Northport statement – government investment in Marsden Point rail link

Northport welcomes information released today by Waka Kotahi NZTA indicating that the government has instructed it to build a new rail link to Northport. While current supply-chain issues impacting the country might be unprecedented, they demonstrate clearly the need for a resilient and geographically-astute Upper North Island Supply Chain strategy that makes best use of […]

Ngawha Innovation and Enterprise Park takes economic development award

A co-designed innovation and enterprise park near Ngawha in Northland, which supports the aspirations of the local and wider Te Tai Tokerau community, has won the inclusive development award at the 2021 Economic Development New Zealand (EDNZ) Awards. The Mid-North based project has been developed by the Council-owned company Far North Holdings, mana whenua Ngāti […]

Moa remnant found in Hawke’s Bay forest

  A moa bone believed to be about 700 years old, found under a rock overhang in the bush of inland Hawke’s Bay, has sparked the interest of tangata whenua and naturalists. The taonga was discovered by Pete Shaw, manager of the Forest Lifeforce Restoration Trust, on its property in the Maungataniwha Native Forest. Experts […]

Forest Lifeforce Restoration Trust passes 400 kiwi milestone

A leading Hawke’s Bay conservation trust has released its 400th kiwi back into the bush. The Forest Lifeforce Restoration Trust celebrated the milestone with a lunch for its conservation partners held last week at the Kiwi for kiwi charity’s new kiwi crèche in Napier. The event was attended by 40 people from the world of […]

New Directors appointed to Kerikeri Retirement Village Board

Two new directors have been appointed to the Board of charitable company Kerikeri Retirement Village Ltd. Richard Aston and Ajit Balasingham replace outgoing director Kevin Hall. Kerikeri Retirement Village Ltd is owned jointly by the Kerikeri Village Community Trust and Presbyterian Support Northern, a charitable organisation established to strengthen New Zealand communities. Directors are appointed […]

Good start to kiwi conservation season

The 2020/2021 kiwi egg-lifting season has passed its mid-way mark and a leading Hawkes Bay kiwi conservation initiative is reporting good numbers of eggs following a disappointing season last year in which dry conditions across the North Island resulted in kiwi producing fewer eggs than normal. Mid-way through the season, chicks from 36 eggs from […]

Village returns Care Facility to lock-down

DETAILS SUBJECT TO CHANGE IF OFFICIAL ADVICE CHANGES OR IS UPDATED Kerikeri Retirement Village restricted visitor access to its Care Facility from 0600hrs today in response to guidance from the Director-General of Health that New Zealand (excluding Auckland) should return to Public Health Alert Level Two. Each of our 66 Care Facility residents will be […]

Village reports ‘significant concern’ about failing water pressure

Kerikeri Retirement Village has raised “significant concerns” with Far North District Council (Council) about failing pressure in the water mains supplying its Care Facility and independent living retirement accommodation. The Village has experienced frequent periods of low water pressure since Tuesday last week (15 December) and has told Council that this could create risk and […]

Northport Update: loading of containers from Constantinos P

An update from Northport says it has reduced its container loading rate as of 1300hrs today (Saturday 12 December). Its forklift drivers have reached their maximum number of working hours under Northport’s fatigue management policy and only one forklift driver is able to remain on duty up until 1500hrs. This is the time at which […]

Constantinos P (container ship) call at Northport

The largest vessel to call at Northport to date is scheduled to tie up around mid-day on Sunday 6 December. Her cargo includes items that will make their way into Christmas stockings and under Christmas trees all across New Zealand. ‘Constantinos P’, a 261m,  67,906 max displacement, gearless container ship, is carrying about 1,340 containers […]

Tandem lift in Northland sends Auckland ferry pontoon on its way

Two pontoon modules for the new ferry terminal in central Auckland were lowered into Whangarei harbour today in carefully-orchestrated tandem lifts involving Northport’s two mobile harbour cranes. They were among the last of nine modules built by Ruakaka-based SPIIND Industrial Engineers at its facility on Marsden Point Road, all of which were put into the […]

Far North boat-building milestone reached at Opua Marine Hub

A local boat-building milestone was reached in Opua today with the launch of what is believed to be the largest vessel built in the Far North in recent times, a 60-tonne commercial fishing boat commissioned by Nat and Adam Davey of Russell-based Medea Fishing Company. The 22.25m commercial bottom-lining vessel called ‘Manakai’, meaning ‘spirit of […]

New kiwi nesting season off to a flying start

The start of the 2020/2021 kiwi nesting season has been good for one of the most prolific kiwi conservation initiatives in the country. The Forest Lifeforce Restoration Trust’s Maungataniwha Kiwi Programme in inland Hawke’s Bay collected eight eggs in the first two weeks of September, five of which were viable. A third egg-lift is scheduled […]

Roland’s Wood trust on the hunt for new Board members

Chairperson and project manager needed to build on Roland’s vision The charitable trust responsible for the governance and upkeep of Roland’s Wood, a popular Kerikeri walking and recreation area, is looking for volunteers to fill two positions on its Board. The Friends of Roland’s Wood Charitable Trust manages eight hectares of land on Inlet Road […]

Kerikeri Retirement Village to ease Level Two lock-down

DETAILS SUBJECT TO CHANGE IF OFFICIAL ADVICE CHANGES OR IS UPDATED Kerikeri Retirement Village will ease restrictions on visitor access to its Care Facility from 6am on Tuesday 25 August, chief executive Hilary Sumpter said today. Each of its 66 Care Facility residents will be allowed two nominated visitors. Either of these visitors (but not […]

COVID brings no let-up in demand for retirement accommodation

Aged-care in Northland “on the verge of being overwhelmed” Older New Zealanders looking for long-term accommodation and middle-aged children eager to find facilities for their parents are driving high demand for retirement accommodation in the wider Bay of Islands area. But one of only a few aged-care providers in the District is sounding the alarm […]

Paihia waterfront set for multi-million dollar facelift

Far North Holdings is set to implement parts of a long-shelved plan to develop the waterfront at Paihia in the Bay of Islands. It has received $8m from the Provincial Growth Fund (PGF) to build breakwaters that will protect waterfront infrastructure, including the town’s wharf and main road, and utility services such as sewage and […]

COVID-19: Northport operational update #8

The New Zealand government announced today that all current COVID-19-related rules and restrictions on businesses and services will be lifted when the country moves to Public Health Alert Level One at midnight tonight. Northport will observe rigorously, and expects all companies operating at the Northport facility to follow, the ‘golden rules’ of Level One: all […]

Lock-down to be lifted at Kerikeri Retirement Village at Level One

Kerikeri Retirement Village will emerge from lock-down completely when New Zealand moves to Public Health Alert Level One. All restrictions on visitor access to the Village’s Care Facility and public areas will be removed. The Village will observe “rigorously” the ‘golden rules’ of Level One outlined this week by the Prime Minister. All staff will […]

Gwen brings Village ‘100 Club’ record to seven

When Gwen Webb turned 100 last Friday (15 May) she smashed the record for the number of centenarians living in the Care Facility at Kerikeri Retirement Village. There are now six, with a grand total of 607 years between them. A seventh centenarian, 103-year old Nell Graveson, still lives independently in her cottage at the […]

COVID-19: Village to allow restricted access at Level 2

Details subject to change if official advice regarding COVID-19 aged care changes or is updated. Kerikeri Retirement Village will ease COVID-19 aged care restrictions on visitor access to its Care Facility when New Zealand moves to Public Health Alert Level Two, chief executive Hilary Sumpter said today.  Each of the 66 Care Facility residents will […]

COVID-19: Northport operational update #7

The Port Facility Health and Safety Committee (comprising Northport Ltd staff and representatives of the port services companies operating at Northport) met last week to discuss site-wide conditions for Public Health Alert Level Two. It was decided that the basic principles of physical distancing and enhanced hygiene and sanitisation that have been adopted at Northport […]

COVID-19: Northport operational update #6

Northport has been operating along strict Public Health Alert Level Three operational guidelines since 11.59pm on Monday this week. Contactless procedures have been implemented and full contact-tracing is in place. Companies that stopped operations at Northport at Alert Level Four have resumed their activity here. People working for these companies have joined those who were […]

COVID-19: Northport operational update #5

Northport has issued further Covid-19 Protocols.  These cover return to work for those companies who ceased operations at Alert Level 4 and protocols for all operations at the Facility at Alert Level 3. Northport Facility Covid 19 Protocols Rev 0 – April 2020

COVID-19: Northport operational update #4

Northport Ltd welcomes and supports the decision announced by the government to return to Public Health Alert Level Three at midnight on Monday next week. We are expecting an increase in imports and exports through Northport at Level Three. However, it is unclear at this stage what products these will be, or the volumes involved. […]

Northland tōtara study proves local demand

JSC Timbers of Riverhead has placed the first commercial order for farm tōtara timber harvested and milled as part of a two-year totara study to test the practicality and commercial viability of a new industry based on regenerating farm-tōtara from private land in Northland. The company placed an order with the Tōtara Industry Pilot (TIP) […]

COVID-19: Northport operational update #3

Northport continues to work with authorities, shipping companies, stevedoring and other port service providers to identify and prioritise freight deemed as essential. These include kiwifruit exports, cement for essential infrastructure construction projects, animal feed, fertilisers for agriculture and horticulture, and liquid CO2 used in the food and drink industry and to support Northland’s dairy plants […]

COVID-19: Northport operational update #2

As we enter Public Health Alert Level 4 this evening we’d like to take this opportunity to outline how Northport plans to operate over the next four weeks, and potentially beyond. Of course, the situation remains fluid and largely uncertain, so we will provide updates if and when any developments result in changes to what […]

COVID-19: Kerikeri Retirement Village initiates lock-down

It is with a heavy heart that we must advise that Kerikeri Retirement Village implemented its full Isolation Plan (lockdown) from 3pm today (Monday 23 March 2020). Here are the basic details: KERIKERI RETIREMENT VILLAGE – ISOLATION (LOCKDOWN) PLAN There will be no visitors to the Care Facility, and external activities will be curtailed, as […]

COVID-19: Northport operational update #1

New Zealand has today escalated its Public Health Alert Level from Level 2 to Level 3, with a pending escalation on Wednesday this week to Level 4. Ports are classed as essential services under the NZ Civil Defence Emergency Management Act 2002. Northport will undertake whatever trade requirements the NZ Government imposes or allows. Additionally […]

COVID-19: Marsden Maritime Holdings trading update

Marsden Maritime Holdings (NZX:MMH) recently reported its earnings for the interim six-month reporting period ending 31 December 2019. Results for the first six months of the financial year were an improvement of 20% over the same period last year. However, given the current market conditions being disrupted by the COVID-19 virus and uncertainty regarding its […]

Opua land sale to help fund economic development near Kaikohe

Far North Holdings has sold most of its land holding on Kellet Street in Opua to a residential developer. The land is consented for low-density, high-quality residential development. No further details of the buyer are available at this stage. The company is restricted by contract from publicising this information. The company will not reveal the […]

Marsden Maritime Holdings – interim profit announcement

Marsden Maritime Holdings Ltd (NZX:MMH) has recorded a Net Surplus of $5.3 million for the interim six-month reporting period ending 31 December 2019, an improvement of 20.0% ($0.9m) over the same period last year. Earnings from the joint venture interest in Northport Ltd for the first six months increased by 9.7% ($0.4m) to $4.8 million. […]

Northport statement: transport structure investment

Northport Ltd welcomes announcements by the government that significant investment is to be made in road and rail links in Northland. Efficient transport links are vital for the entire region to realise its full economic potential and we will support any development that seeks to achieve this. We are delighted that a national discussion is […]

Northport upgrades container-handling capability

Northport Ltd has purchased its second harbour mobile crane to support a growing need for container-handling trade and to provide increased resilience for dedicated container vessels using the port.  The company has also acquired a $250,000 crane simulator from CM Labs and two new Kalmar terminal tractors to move containers to and from shipside. The […]

Snappy discovery leads to award for fossil-hunter

Leading Hawke’s Bay conservationist Pete Shaw has been recognised by the Geoscience Society of New Zealand for his work on fossils in the Maungataniwha Native Forest. He has been awarded the Harold Wellman Prize for the discovery of important fossil material in New Zealand, including the largest mosasaur tooth on record here. Pete Shaw is a […]

Ballance unveils Whangarei distribution hub

Leading farm nutrient supplier Ballance Agri-Nutrients has acquired a site in Whangarei to establish its new bagging and distribution centre. The premises at 223 Kioreroa Road are used currently as a round-the-clock transport hub for a logistics company but will be converted over the next two years into a fully-enclosed, fully-ventilated facility to service Northland’s […]

Kiwi eggs rolling in despite late start

The 2019/2020 kiwi egg-lifting season is approaching its mid-way mark and a leading Hawkes Bay kiwi conservation initiative is reporting good numbers of eggs despite a slow start. The Forest Lifeforce Restoration Trust, which runs the Maungataniwha Kiwi Programme, says the season is shaping up to be an unusually long one, with kiwi eggs likely […]

SailGP set to return to NZ for training ahead of Season 2

SailGP will return to New Zealand’s Northland region for testing and training ahead of its second season of racing next year. Six F50 catamarans were raced in the successful inaugural season this year and organisers will test the event’s seventh boat in Whangarei Harbour between now and the end of January, using Northport in Marsden Point […]

29 retirement villages in Kerikeri – but just for a day

Kerikeri will be more blessed than usual on the retirement village front next week when representatives of 29 organisations from across New Zealand descend on the town for an Independent Villages Forum hosted by the Retirement Villages Association of New Zealand. The event on Wednesday 13 November will be hosted by the Kerikeri Retirement Village. […]

Update: Paihia and Opua marine infrastructure projects

Far North Holdings has provided the following updates on its wharf projects in Paihia and Opua: Paihia Wharf Work on the $4.698m Paihia Wharf upgrade project, contracted to United Civil, is now expected to be complete in late January. We expect the four new pontoons on the new South-East extension to be operational by Christmas, […]

First plan published of proposed Ngawha business park

Far North Holdings has had “significant interest” in its plan for a business park near Kaikohe. The company has published for the first time a plan of the proposed Ngawha Innovation and Enterprise Park indicating progress in discussions with organisations involved in glasshouse horticulture, renewable carbon products, native timber drying, housing trades training and construction, […]

Report “progressive” and “solutions-based”: land owner

MARSDEN POINT, Northland – Marsden Maritime Holdings Ltd (NZX:MMH) has welcomed the findings in the Upper North Island Supply Chain Strategy working group’s second interim report published today (3 October), calling them “solutions-based” and “progressive”. Chairman Murray Jagger said much would hinge around the expected practical recommendations from the Upper North Island Supply Chain Strategy […]

Northport statement: PGF rail investment

Northport Ltd welcomes today’s announcement by the Minister of Regional Economic Development, Shane Jones, about government’s intention to invest $94.8 million through the Provincial Growth Fund for upgrading the rail line between Swanson and Whangarei. Northport Ltd is of the view that efficient transport links are vital for the entire region to realise its full […]

Minister ‘finishes the job’ on Russell Wharf

Minister for Regional Economic Development Shane Jones today laid the last few licks of paint on railings at Russell Wharf in the Bay of Islands, symbolically completing a $1.281m renovation and upgrade of the iconic gateway to the town once known as the Hell-hole of the Pacific. The Provincial Growth Fund contributed $1.114m to this […]

Auckland car question: players urged to look north

MARSDEN POINT, Northland – Marsden Maritime Holdings Ltd (NZX:MMH) has urged the North Island vehicle industry, Ports of Auckland and Auckland Council to consider using some of the hundreds of hectares of land at Marsden Point in Northland for vehicle imports, to future-proof the upper North Island industry. It wants decision-makers to explore fully the […]

Marsden Maritime Holdings’ growth continues

Marsden Maritime Holdings Ltd (NZX:MMH) has lifted the Net Surplus for the financial year ended 30 June 2019 by 3.1% ($0.3m) to $9.7 million. The improved result was largely due to a $0.6 million uplift in the valuation of the Company’s investment property. Earnings from the joint venture interest in Northport Ltd was down slightly […]

New website for Northland Tōtara Industry Pilot project

  Project partners running a two-year study into the viability of a Northland totara timber industry have unveiled a website (www.totaraindustry.co.nz) to explain the project and its social, economic and environmental objectives. Tōtara timber from Northland farms is being harvested selectively under a ‘continuous cover forestry’ model and milled as part of a two-year project […]

New crop of kiwi returning to Hawke’s Bay forests

Seven out of every 10 viable kiwi eggs lifted from a Hawke’s Bay forest during the 2018/2019 breeding season have resulted in juvenile birds that are being returned to the forest this year. The eggs were recovered as part of the nation-wide Operation Nest Egg (ONE) initiative, where they’re retrieved from nests, then incubated and […]

Kiwi search brings more birds into the fold

One of the most prolific and successful kiwi conservation programmes in the country has a raft of new birds to add to its work after a successful ‘prospecting’ exercise in May. Ten volunteers identified eight new breeding pairs, two breeding pairs that were already known about and five new male birds that can now be […]

Doors open at new Bay of Islands Airport terminal building

Minister for Regional Economic Development Shane Jones today opened the new $4.75 million Bay of Islands Airport terminal, 356 days after he drove a digger bucket through the old one to mark the start of demolition work. The new airport terminal was the first of six “shovel ready” Far North projects, championed by Council-owned trading […]

Rat numbers set to explode in forests this Spring

Native birds to bear the brunt of multi-species mega-mast Conservationists in the central North Island warn that native bird populations are due to “take an epic hammering” this Spring when predator populations balloon. Staff of the Forest Lifeforce Restoration Trust have seen a significant increase in rat numbers on their two properties in inland Hawke’s […]

Port Road landmark disappearing from view

Leading farm nutrient supplier Ballance Agri-Nutrients is about four weeks ahead of schedule with the deconstruction of its landmark Port Road plant in Whangarei. Dismantling started in January and is set to be complete by late July. A second stage of demolition will take place once the company has secured its new site in Whangarei. […]

Tech update boosts Kerikeri Retirement Village care

Kerikeri Retirement Village has introduced a single technology system, eCase, to streamline every aspect of its operation, from registering and managing requests for its retirement accommodation through to streamlining patient record-keeping in its care wing. The eCase management system is helping the Village to reduce costs, eliminate the need for paper-based records, and de-duplicate a […]

Refining NZ safety at work results in hot meals for kids

Safety-conscious workers at Refining NZ this week enabled an $18,000 donation to Whangarei charity Food for Life, which delivers 250 hot lunches each week to three low-decile schools in a bid to boost children’s energy levels and academic performance. The donation will enable the charity to extend its programme both within Whangarei and further north […]

Bay of Islands Marina clinches top Asia-Pacific accolade

The Bay of Islands has the best international marina in the Asia-Pacific region according to the Marina Industries Association (MIA), the organisation representing the marina and related service industries in this part of the world. Bay of Islands Marina in Opua won the marina award last night at the association’s 2019/2020 Club Marine Awards on […]

“You’re wonderful”: Village carers learn to sign

Ten staff at Kerikeri Retirement Village learned the basics of this country’s least used official language, New Zealand Sign Language, during the official sign language week marked nationwide in early May. The courses were conducted as part of the Village’s staff wellness and education programmes. One of the benefits is that it will allow carers […]

Marsden Maritime Holdings – Chairman resignation

Marsden Maritime Holdings Ltd (MMH) today announced the pending retirement from the Board of its Chairman, Sir John Goulter, with effect from the end of the financial year, 30 June 2019. Sir John has been a Director of the Company since 2011 and was elected Chairman in December 2012. Commenting on his time serving on […]

Far North Holdings acquires Opua Industrial Estate

Far North Holdings has acquired the Opua Industrial Estate on State Highway 11, just south of the town. Ownership transferred at the end of February. The move gives the company additional flexibility to accommodate local businesses at every stage of their growth and development. Opua Industrial estate is a logical fit for the company because […]