Sheryl Mai: Happy to mark Anzac Day 2021 with family, friends and community
11 Apr, 2021 06:00 PM
4 minutes to read
The Cenotaph in Laurie Hall Park, Whangārei just before dawn on Anzac Day last year during the Covid-19 lockdown. Photo / Michael Cunningham
The Cenotaph in Laurie Hall Park, Whangārei just before dawn on Anzac Day last year during the Covid-19 lockdown. Photo / Michael Cunningham
FROM THE MAYOR S DESK
One of the greatest honours of being mayor is attending the Returned and Services Association Anzac dawn parade. Every year I am impressed by the mana of the dawn ceremony, where the welling of emotion
Sheryl Mai: Now is the time to plan for emergencies
14 Mar, 2021 04:00 PM
3 minutes to read
Central Whangārei deserted after the tsunami alert. Photo / Adam Pearse
FROM THE MAYOR S DESK Head for the hills! I am very proud of the response from our community to the tsunami alert after the earthquakes on Friday, March 5. The speed and efficiency of our emergency services response and the effectiveness of our siren and Emergency Mobile Alert (EMA) system network must be commended.
This was the type of event Civil Defence, emergency response and community response teams prepare and practise for, and it was also the very first time both sirens and EMAs had been used together.
Northland tsunami alert: Region copes well in tsunami threat but more could be done
5 Mar, 2021 06:36 PM
10 minutes to read
The lookout at Onerahi provided one of the safest, and best, viewing spots during yesterday s tsunami alert. Photo / Tania Whyte.
Northern Advocate
Northland coped well with yesterday s tsunami warning, but more work is needed on an evacuation plan to prevent the sort of gridlock that hit Whangārei as thousands fled the CBD, Whangārei Mayor Sheryl Mai said.
Thousands of Northlanders fled their homes, offices and schools in low-lying coastal areas and headed for the safety of higher ground after a tsunami warning was issued by Civil Defence at 8.46am. The all-clear was given at 3.34pm.
Sheryl Mai: Time to have your say about our Long Term Plan
27 Feb, 2021 08:33 PM
3 minutes to read
FROM THE MAYOR S DESK
Today officially marks the opening of our Long Term Plan (LTP) 2021-2031 consultation period. The LTP is our road map for the next 10 years, setting direction on how we spend your money and what we focus our energies on. Do you want a new events facility? Do you want more action around climate change? How do you feel about our city centre? What about rates?
A key part of this consultation is how we pay for what we need to get done in the next 10 years. Last year we opted for an inflation-only rates increase of 2.2 per cent for 2020-2021, to help with the financial impacts of Covid-19.