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The Northland Regional Council (NRC) says it is doing all it can to ensure it’s ready when the nation enters the next phase of the central government response to the Covid-19 pandemic next week.
Council chair Penny Smart says just like the rest of the nation, councillors had adapted quickly to … View moreThe Northland Regional Council (NRC) says it is doing all it can to ensure it’s ready when the nation enters the next phase of the central government response to the Covid-19 pandemic next week.
Council chair Penny Smart says just like the rest of the nation, councillors had adapted quickly to the Level Four lockdown restrictions and were now collectively turning their attention to how the Level Three status in place from Tuesday 28 April would impact the organisation.
The council’s crucial functions had continued throughout the pandemic, including environmental monitoring deemed critical to ensuring the health and wellbeing of Northland communities, ensuring maritime navigational safety, flood and drought monitoring and management and supporting critical Civil Defence work.
Civil Defence emergency management in the region is co-funded and staffed by all four local authorities (including the NRC) and team members have been liaising with regional stakeholders, emergency services, Northland DHB, key suppliers of food and water, volunteer groups, national agencies, iwi and the National Emergency Management Agency throughout both the pandemic and ongoing regional drought response.
As part of that, a team of Northland Civil Defence staff has been supported by staff from all four councils, working from a range of locations. Among a wide range of workstreams the Northland-wide Civil Defence effort has led or been involved in in recent weeks have been;
Making sure support is available to assist communities in a welfare capacity (things like ensuring vulnerable people have access to food, water, medicines and other essentials)
Assisting to ensure critical infrastructure like telecommunications, electricity, fuel supply, food distribution are maintained and kept running
Co-ordinating information flows to and from the national response and helping to ensure an accurate picture of the effects on Northland is conveyed.
Elsewhere, regional council subsidiary, Northland Inc, the North’s Regional Economic Development Agency and Regional Tourism Organisation, has been assisting in a business continuity capacity to help a variety of Northland companies impacted by the Level Four lockdown and would continue to do so under Level Three.
Chair Smart says While Level Three was effectively the start of central government’s intention to gradually and carefully ease the nation out of the most stringent pandemic-related restrictions, the regional council was determined to do its best to support those restrictions during the transitional period.
“You may notice increased numbers of regional council staff returning to the field under the Level Three restrictions, particularly in our core areas of environmental monitoring and enforcement, flood management, biosecurity land management activities.”
However, during Level Three councillors would continue to work remotely as this had proven to be an effective way for them to continue to conduct governance business. (Throughout Alert Level Four, regional councillors had continued to hold virtual weekly workshops and had also carried out their first regular monthly formal meeting (again remotely) this week (subs: Tues 21 April).)
As expected, a great deal of councillors’ current attention and energies were being expended ensuring the organisation’s Annual Plan – originally drawn up prior to the pandemic – reflected the very different forces and conditions (economic and other) now at work.
“As with many other local authorities, a formal period for public consultation on our Annual Plan was drawing to a close late last month (subs: March) just as the nation went into the Level Four lockdown.
Chair Smart says while the world had then changed more or less overnight, local authorities’ ongoing responsibilities to plan to provide a number of services essential to keeping people and communities healthy and safe had not.
“We’ve accepted a number of late submissions on our Annual Plan and the very real concerns our communities have about Covid-19’s impact are being factored into our considerations.”
The council had already brought forward its planned meeting to consider submissions and adopt its Annual Plan and – after initially hoping to do this early next week (subs: 28 April) – the associated financial complexities meant this would now happen early next month (subs: May), still several weeks earlier than originally planned.
Chair Smart reiterated the rescheduling was intended to provide Northlanders with all the certainty it could; no small feat considering the operating landscape was evolving rapidly and in some cases, changing by the day.
She said much of the spending originally proposed had been intended to maintain the council’s long-term focus on helping native life flourish, caring for water and protecting communities from flood risk.
While it was always a difficult balancing act for local government in terms of desired outcomes versus affordability, getting that balance right was even more critical in the current environment and involved considerable work at both a governance and staff level.
Councillors would keep the public fully informed on their plans (including around rates) going forward and wanted to reassure the community they had heard its calls for financial constraint.
“However, while we appreciate rates bills are just one of a number of critical financial considerations for people, if rates are not paid our region’s ability to collectively recover from this pandemic will be less rapid, harder and even more expensive next year.”
At this point, the advice from the regional council was still for those experiencing financial hardship to contact their local district council (which collected regional council rates on its behalf) to discuss their circumstances and arrange a payment.
Councillors also appreciated the economic support Central Government had already delivered to Northland and Northlanders in various ways and the way people in the region had worked – and continued to work – to support each other through the pandemic.
“Regional council has continued to engage strongly with central government on behalf of our region to ensure we get our fair share of its available funding to ensure our regional economic can recover as quickly as possible post-Covid.
Finally, councillors urged people to heed central government’s request to stay home, stay safe, look after each other and stay up to date with official guidance at www.covid19.govt.nz......
Northland, you’ll be off and racing with 2degrees speedy new Rural Broadband, and we want you to take it for a Test Drive on us, no strings attached. You’ll even get a free modem to trial.
If you stick around we’ll sweeten things up with a $200 joining credit on our 170GB … View moreNorthland, you’ll be off and racing with 2degrees speedy new Rural Broadband, and we want you to take it for a Test Drive on us, no strings attached. You’ll even get a free modem to trial.
If you stick around we’ll sweeten things up with a $200 joining credit on our 170GB Rural Broadband Plans for your home or business. Just $85/month incl GST on a 12 month term.
Give our NZ based team a call on 0800 022 202.
Anzac Day is being celebrated differently this year, with virtual services and online events, all from our own living rooms, balconies and driveways. Download this pdf of a poppy, by award-winning illustrator Sharon Murdoch, to print off and stick in a front window - To show that even in lockdown, … View moreAnzac Day is being celebrated differently this year, with virtual services and online events, all from our own living rooms, balconies and driveways. Download this pdf of a poppy, by award-winning illustrator Sharon Murdoch, to print off and stick in a front window - To show that even in lockdown, in our small bubbles, we shall not forget. That we can still say thank you for the sacrifices, we can still pay tribute to the bravery of so many.
Northland’s leaders and police are urging would-be holidaymakers not to travel to – or within – Northland for what would have been their traditional Easter break. Police say they will be out in force, to ensure people are sticking to the coronavirus lockdown rules. The Northland Mayoral Forum… View moreNorthland’s leaders and police are urging would-be holidaymakers not to travel to – or within – Northland for what would have been their traditional Easter break. Police say they will be out in force, to ensure people are sticking to the coronavirus lockdown rules. The Northland Mayoral Forum (pictured) says extra visitors will not only increase the potential of Covid-19 transmission, it will also put pressure on Northland's drinking water resources and healthcare.
If you are looking for fun activities this Easter, there are plenty of fun things to do at home.
The end is in sight for the coronavirus lockdown. But, while we move out of this crisis, there are some things that perhaps shouldn't go back to normal for the benefit of society, even if they can. What do you think we should continue not doing after the lockdown?
As a first-home buyer it pays to weigh up your options to see whether buying new or buying 'character' is best for you.
The Northland Regional Council has named the four winners of its inaugural ‘Tū i teora Scholarship’ programme; Courtney Sanson, Katherine (Katarina) Tautuhi, Huia Webby and Zane Williams.
The council’s Deputy Chair Justin Blaikie says the scholarships aim to support students studying or … View moreThe Northland Regional Council has named the four winners of its inaugural ‘Tū i teora Scholarship’ programme; Courtney Sanson, Katherine (Katarina) Tautuhi, Huia Webby and Zane Williams.
The council’s Deputy Chair Justin Blaikie says the scholarships aim to support students studying or training in areas that align with council’s focus and mission of ‘working together to create a healthy environment, strong economy and resilient communities’.
They also aim to build Māori capacity within Te Taitokerau and provide opportunities for further education, with two earmarked for Māori who whakapapa (share a genealogical connection) to Te Taitokerau.”
Councillor Blaikie says while the scholarships were an existing initiative and applications had closed before central government introduced its Covid-19 pandemic response, they would hopefully be of even more practical value to recipients given the impact the pandemic was having on tertiary studies.
The application official period for the scholarships ended in mid-February, with 72 applications, three-quarters of which were from Māori who whakapapa to Te Taitokerau.
Over recent weeks – including as the country moved into Level Four lockdown – those applications had been reviewed by a four-strong selection panel* which had met remotely earlier this month (subs: April) to carry out judging.
*(Selection panel members were Te Tai Tokerau Māori and Council (TTMAC) Working Party representative Georgina Connelly (of Te Uri O Hau Settlement Trust) and regional council staff Lorna Douglas (Eastern Coast Land Manager), Cathy Erstich (Community Engagement Manager) and Auriole Ruka (Maori Engagement Manager).
Councillor Blaikie says the panel was unanimous in its selection of the four winners, who represent a diverse range of backgrounds and career study paths.
“The winners have now been informed and regional councillors have been briefed on their success. My fellow councillors and I congratulate them and acknowledge the very important role they – and indeed all those who applied or are engaged in tertiary studies – will have to play in our region’s collective future.”
Winners (alphabetically by surname) are:
Courtney Sanson; from Tautoro, near Kaikohe (Ngapuhi/Te Rarawa).
Has a Bachelor of Science (Earth Sciences) going on to Master of
Environmental Sciences (Waikato University) focusing on water quality
Katherine (Katarina) Tautuhi; from Kaipara (Te Uri o Hau/Ngati Porou/Te Rarawa). Katarina has a Bachelor of Mātauranga Māori with a focus on environmental issues within Tai Tokerau. Currently studying towards a Masters of Indigenous Studies at Te Whare Wānanga o Awanuiārangi with a focus on Māori worldview of Te Ao Tūroa, the environment
Huia Webby; from Whangarei (2018 Whangarei Girls High graduate).
Studying Bachelor of Science majoring in marine (Wellington University) - entering second year of studies.
Zane Williams; from Whangarei (2017 Kamo High graduate).
Studying for Bachelor of AgriCommerce (Massey University)
Further information on the winners – and the scholarships themselves – will be available shortly from the council’s website: www.nrc.govt.nz.........
Caption for ‘Huia Webby Copyright: Victoria University of Wellington - 20190900’
A supplied, pre-pandemic lockdown image of one of the four Tū i te ora Scholarship winners Huia Webby. (Photocredit: Victoria University of Wellington (VUW) Image Service
Caption for ‘Justin Blaikie (P) - 20191029’
Deputy Chair Justin Blaikie…Northlanders continuing their tertiary studies – despite the current pandemic response – will have an important role to play in future and the inaugural ‘Tū i te ora Scholarship’ winners especially so.
Dear Northland - ANZAC Day will look a little different for us this year - however there are many ways for you to acknowledge the incredible men and women who have served our communities and given their lives for our country.
We invite you to share a memory or photo to commemorate this special … View moreDear Northland - ANZAC Day will look a little different for us this year - however there are many ways for you to acknowledge the incredible men and women who have served our communities and given their lives for our country.
We invite you to share a memory or photo to commemorate this special day on Neighbourly below. It could be a story of a member in your family who served - or perhaps the way you and your family celebrate ANZAC Day each year. (It might even be a photo of your freshly baked can't be-beaten ANZAC cookies).
We also invite you to take part in Stand at Dawn and join us at 6:00 am on Saturday 25 April. Stand at your letterbox, at the front door, in your lounge rooms, balconies, in your driveway. Wherever you are in the world, stand with us and take a moment to remember our fallen – but please stay within your ‘bubble’.
We’ve been privileged to help Kiwis get the essentials needed to work, study, and stay connected. It’s led to huge demand and some orders are taking longer to deliver. We’d really like to apologise to the customers who’ve experienced these delays.
To help get it sorted faster we’ve … View moreWe’ve been privileged to help Kiwis get the essentials needed to work, study, and stay connected. It’s led to huge demand and some orders are taking longer to deliver. We’d really like to apologise to the customers who’ve experienced these delays.
To help get it sorted faster we’ve quadrupled our Customer Care team, and expanded our order fulfilment network so we can get thousands more orders delivered each day. Plus our remote Tech Solutions service will be free until May 11 to lend customers a hand with technology advice or setting up.
Thanks for your patience, everyone. We’re getting there.
Whangarei Campus
Tēnā koutou katoa. Given the circumstances regarding COVID-19, teaching and delivery of Te Whare Wānanga o Awanuiārangi programmes will differ from normal over the coming weeks or months.
We will keep staff, students and our wider community updated on this as best we can.… View moreWhangarei Campus
Tēnā koutou katoa. Given the circumstances regarding COVID-19, teaching and delivery of Te Whare Wānanga o Awanuiārangi programmes will differ from normal over the coming weeks or months.
We will keep staff, students and our wider community updated on this as best we can.
We urge students to please stay enrolled. Studylink payments of allowances and loans will continue as normal.
Follow our facebook page and visit our COVID-19 webpage to keep updated. We appreciate your patience.
Ngā manaakitanga, keep safe.
The Sunday Star-Times is looking to speak to a patient who has recently had some experience of the health system - either receiving treatment in a hospital or clinic or at an ED - and would be willing to talk about their experience, and how it could have been made better, either by shorter wait … View moreThe Sunday Star-Times is looking to speak to a patient who has recently had some experience of the health system - either receiving treatment in a hospital or clinic or at an ED - and would be willing to talk about their experience, and how it could have been made better, either by shorter wait times, better communication or level of care. We'd need you to be happy to be identified and photographed (from a distance). If you think you can help, please email senior journalist Andrea Vance on andrea.vance@stuff.co.nz.
Following on from yesterday's tiny house story, here's single mum Shaye sharing her experience in isolation
Tiny house builders have had a surge in interest during the lockdown, some from families that are 'herding'
The Cancer Society’s Domain Lodge, continues to offer free accommodation for Northland cancer patients travelling to Auckland. Giving patients easy access to treatment, is an essential service, and remains open. There is restricted access to the building in order to protect cancer patients who … View moreThe Cancer Society’s Domain Lodge, continues to offer free accommodation for Northland cancer patients travelling to Auckland. Giving patients easy access to treatment, is an essential service, and remains open. There is restricted access to the building in order to protect cancer patients who are staying and ensure everyone remains in a ‘bubble’.
Comments from Dr Chris Jackson, Cancer Society Medical Director and Oncologist:
Cancer hasn’t stopped for COVID-19, but the way in which people seek and receive care for cancer has changed a lot since the level 4 lockdown.
Despite the changes in service delivery, the Cancer Control Agency has been very clear that people with a high suspicion of cancer, or people with cancer who require immediate treatment, should still receive those tests and treatments.
The level 4 lockdown has been an unprecedented event. It happened with unparalleled speed, and resulted in some non-life threatening hospital work being immediately deferred.
Since that time the Cancer Control Agency (working with DHBs and clinicians) has been working through what can and can’t be done during the stages of lockdown. More and more hospital work is now available.
Patients up and down the country have been affected by these disruptions and have been incredibly understanding and patient while this work has been done.
People who have symptoms or signs of cancer, or who are concerned that their existing cancer is worsening during the level 4 and then level 3 lockdown should still be able to access healthcare. People should contact their own GP in the first instance, or if they have an assigned cancer specialist, talk with them. While some appointments may be done by telephone or videoconference, essential scans and treatments should still be going ahead. Some treatments that heavily suppress the immune system may be deferred if it is in people’s best interests to have the treatments delayed due to the risks of COVID-19. These will be discussed with patients individually.
Despite losing significant funding due to cancellation of major fundraising events, the Cancer Society has redesigned its services to support people remotely throughout the lockdown, the cancer society nurses are still available to talk to.
The Cancer Society remains here to help with a fully staffed 0800 cancer information line (0800 226 237) that people can call and discuss any concerns or questions they may have.
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