News in brief: Northland Road Safety Trust wins top stall award at Whangārei A&P show

The Northland Road Safety Trust was awarded the "best site" from the president of the Whangārei A&P Association.

Stall promote road safety

The Northland Road Safety Trust says it had a lot of success with its road safety awareness site at the Whangārei A&P show last Saturday. The stall was a collaboration between Northland Road Safety Trust, Whangārei District Council, NZ Police, AA Northland Council, Plunket, SADD, NZTA Waka Kotahi, and Taranaki Road Safety. It had more than 600 interactions with members of the public over the day, and included a seatbelt simulator, a road safety quiz for adults, a colouring competition for children, and road safety snakes and ladders. Plunket also talked about child restraints and impairment. The stall was awarded the “best site from the president of the Whangārei A&P Association.

Leyland to be principal

The Tikipunga High School Board has announced that Whangārei-born Emma Leyland has been appointed principal. She will start at the beginning of Term 1. Leyland brings 25 years of education experience, including 15 years in school leadership, including acting principal, campus principal, and deputy principal at Tikipunga High School. Leyland takes over from long-term principal Alec Solomon who is now principal at Whangārei Boys' High School.

Water restricted

Dry weather has prompted Kaipara District Council to introduce level 2 water restrictions for Dargaville and Baylys Beach. This means those on town supply must not use sprinklers or an irrigation system to water their garden. Hoses with a trigger nozzle, watering cans, water blasters and buckets can still be used. Water flows over the Kaihu weirs have reduced rapidly over the past week and there is little rain forecast prior to Christmas, with the council saying further restrictions are a very real prospect.

Cash for environmental projects at schools

Twenty-three Northland schools and early childhood centres are to share in $35,000 of Northland Regional Council Environmental Leaders Funding for projects ranging from eco-sourcing and propagating native plants to a solar panel project.

Accessibility Expo

The tlc4u2 All About Accessibility Expo is on today at McKay Stadium in Whangārei. Learn about the facilities and services Whangārei District Council provides for older adults, disabled people and other people with access needs.

Clock tower raised to roof

The Old Municipal Building clock tower has been lifted to the brand new roof. The town hall has been covered in scaffolding and a temporary weather-proof roof since an electrical fire caused millions of dollars of damage on October 19, 2019. Restoration work, estimated to cost $7.4 million, is due to finish mid-2025.

Council offices, libraries closed for day

Dargaville Council office, Mangawhai council office, Mangawhai Library and Dargaville Library will be closed today.