An urgent message from Fire and Emergency New Zealand
A total fire ban is in place for Whangārei and Kaipara effective from 8am Thursday 24 December.
This means open air fires are not permitted across the Whangārei and Kaipara districts and all fire permits have been suspended.
The ban on private use of fireworks also remains in place in the Karikari peninsula and Ahipara township.
The Far North remains in a restricted fire season but fire permits are still suspended in the area until further notice due to the weather conditions.
Go to www.checkitsalright.nz... for more information.
"It’s very important people follow the fire ban and don’t light any outside fires or let off fireworks," says Principal Rural Fire Officer Myles Taylor.
"It’s too risky. In the current hot and dry conditions a stray ember or firework could easily start a fire which would quickly spread."
"It’s still very dry in the Far North but we are expecting some rain to come through the area over the next few days," says Myles Taylor.
"We will continue to monitor the conditions and fire danger level. Fire permits will be reinstated when it’s safe to do so and when there is less risk of a fire getting out of control.
"We need the people of Northland, and those planning a holiday in Northland, to do their part to prevent a wildfire this summer."
Go to www.checkitsalright.nz... for more tips on how you can reduce the risk of fire this summer.
Poll: As a customer, what do you think about automation?
The Press investigates the growing reliance on your unpaid labour.
Automation (or the “unpaid shift”) is often described as efficient ... but it tends to benefit employers more than consumers.
We want to know: What do you think about automation?
Are you for, or against?
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9.4% For. Self-service is less frustrating and convenient.
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43.6% I want to be able to choose.
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47.1% Against. I want to deal with people.
Time to Tickle Your Thinker 🧠
If a zookeeper had 100 pairs of animals in her zoo, and two pairs of babies are born for each one of the original animals, then (sadly) 23 animals don’t survive, how many animals do you have left in total?
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Have you got New Zealand's best shed? Show us and win!
Once again, Resene and NZ Gardener are on the hunt for New Zealand’s best shed! Send in the photos and the stories behind your man caves, she sheds, clever upcycled spaces, potty potting sheds and colourful chicken coops. The Resene Shed of the Year 2026 winner receives $1000 Resene ColorShop voucher, a $908 large Vegepod Starter Pack and a one-year subscription to NZ Gardener. To enter, tell us in writing (no more than 500 words) why your garden shed is New Zealand’s best, and send up to five high-quality photos by email to mailbox@nzgardener.co.nz. Entries close February 23, 2026.
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