1937 days ago

Roundabout unveiled on busy Dairy Flat highway

Caryn Wilkinson Reporter from Community News

Two years ago, Sophia Ivory narrowly escaped death in a multi-car crash at Dairy Flat Highway intersection.

The teenager has no recollection of the June smash that could have claimed her life at the Dairy Flat Highway/ Coatesville Riverhead Highway crossroads.

Sophia returned to the scene yesterday to see the unveiling of a new $10 million roundabout, held to mark Road Safety Week.

“I have absolutely no recollection of [the crash] or of six weeks after, I just know what the police told me,” Sophia said.

For the Rodney community, the roundabout has been a long time coming.

Serious crashes like Sophia’s sparked community pleas for improvements to road safety along Dairy Flat Highway.

Intersection upgrades, right turn bays, and median safety barriers were also installed.

Sophia said it was uplifting knowing that something positive could come out of such a low point in her life.

"I'm still walking and talking today and I'm glad I could make a difference that will ultimately save lives."

More messages from your neighbours
3 days ago

Poll: If we want to reduce speeding, what do you think actually changes driver behaviour? 🛻🚨🚓

The Team from Neighbourly.co.nz

In the Post's article on speeding penalties, the question is asked whether speeding fines are truly about road safety, or are they just a way to boost revenue for the Crown?

What do you think? Should speeding motorists receive speeding fines or demerit points?

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If we want to reduce speeding, what do you think actually changes driver behaviour? 🛻🚨🚓
  • 37.1% The sting of a fine (Money talks!)
    37.1% Complete
  • 62.9% The threat of demerit points (Nobody wants to lose their license!)
    62.9% Complete
539 votes
9 days ago

Some Choice News!

Kia pai from Sharing the Good Stuff

DOC is rolling out a new tool to help figure out what to tackle first when it comes to protecting our threatened species and the things putting them at risk.

Why does this matter? As Nikki Macdonald from The Post points out, we’re a country with around 4,400 threatened species. With limited time and funding, conservation has always meant making tough calls about what gets attention first.

For the first time, DOC has put real numbers around what it would take to do everything needed to properly safeguard our unique natural environment. The new BioInvest tool shows the scale of the challenge: 310,177 actions across 28,007 sites.

Now that we can see the full picture, it brings the big question into focus: how much do we, as Kiwis, truly value protecting nature — and what are we prepared to invest to make it happen?

We hope this brings a smile!

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10 hours ago

Get up to $30,000 back* with your new home

William Sanders Retirement Village

Sign up to an independent apartment or townhouse at a participating Ryman village by 31 March 2026 and receive a $30,000 credit on settlement or sign up to a serviced apartment and receive a $10,000 credit on settlement*.

Imagine a new smart TV, your next getaway or furniture for your new home. With more money staying in your pocket, it’s yours to spend!

Discover the lifestyle that awaits.

*Participating villages only, Terms and conditions apply.

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