The brakes have once again been slammed on plans for a four-lane highway near Whangārei - and local leaders are furious.
The road between Whangārei and Marsden Point has been a regional transport priority for more than 10 years, but an upgrade has today been substituted for a new rail line out to the port.
KiwiRail and NorthPort say it will be a game changer for the area - but many Northlanders aren't impressed.
Nita Blake-Persen filed this report.
Housing the biggest Budget wish for Northland leaders nzherald.co.nz - get the latest breaking news, showbiz & celebrity photos, sport news & rumours, viral videos and top stories from nzherald.co.nz Daily Mail and Mail on Sunday newspapers.
Whangārei police appeal for witnesses to Kamo drive-by shooting one week on
13 May, 2021 05:00 PM
4 minutes to read
The Whangārei street where the shooting took place is usually quiet with residents living in the cul-de-sac preferring to keep to themselves. Photo / Michael Cunningham
The Whangārei street where the shooting took place is usually quiet with residents living in the cul-de-sac preferring to keep to themselves. Photo / Michael Cunningham
Northern Advocate
A hushed residential cul-de-sac where Whangārei locals kept to themselves was the unexpected scene of a drive-by shooting that has shocked the city s leader.
Whangārei Mayor Sheryl Mai was enormously grateful no one inside the house on Brunner Tce in Kamo was injured, or worse – killed, when it was targeted in a drive-by shooting believed to be gang-related around 6.30pm last Friday.
Sheryl Mai: Whangārei citizenship ceremony first since pre-Covid times
9 May, 2021 05:00 PM
3 minutes to read
Mayor Sheryl Mai welcomes new citizens at Forum North during a citizenship ceremony in 2019. Photo / Michael Cunningham
Mayor Sheryl Mai welcomes new citizens at Forum North during a citizenship ceremony in 2019. Photo / Michael Cunningham
FROM THE MAYOR S DESK
In 1955, just four years before I was born, our modern form of citizenship ceremony was introduced. The history of New Zealand citizenship has been on my mind since Friday, when we held our first in-person Citizenship Ceremony since pre-Covid-19 times.
Officiating at these ceremonies is always a highlight for the council calendar, and the 41 new citizens on Friday were as delighted as I was to be celebrating in person rather than in isolation.