Podcasts about whangarei

I have so many questions around the Government bailout of Golden Bay Cement, which is not in fact manufactured in Golden Bay, but in Northland. Fletcher owns the company and they said Golden Bay Cement operates New Zealand's only domestic cement manufacturing facility at Portland near Whangarei. It supplies nearly 60% of the cement used in New Zealand – about 95% of its output is sold domestically. Golden Bay Cement took a long hard look at the account books and participated in an independent assessment which confirmed that without support, rising costs —including carbon costs— would force the closure of the company and a shift to an import only model for cement from 2030. So in steps the Government with a $60 million payout. They say it's a specific one-time response to an exceptional set of circumstances, to keep the plant open at least through to 2040. In return, Golden Bay Cement has committed to continue producing cement at its Northland plant at least until 2040 and to invest at least 150 million through to 2040, phased over time. Finance Minister Nicola Willis told Heather du Plessis Allan last night the decision to offer a bailout was not made lightly and does not set a precedent. “We went through three steps. One, this is quite different in that it is strategically so important that you can produce cement for your domestic economy, that you're not exposed to not being able to have cement if there was an international trade disruption. Two, the financial case here is that actually this is a business that is working overall. The key thing is just that emissions cost. And three, we've set in place some really firm requirements that Golden Bay need to meet in order to get this cash with clawbacks if they don't meet those requirements. And that includes keeping production going through to at least 2040 making $150 million worth of investments in that manufacturing capability, keeping the jobs at that factory going, and having an open book exercise with us, the Government, so that we can audit that investment. So we set a very high bar, we took a very case by case approach. Believe you me, I did not want to be setting a precedent that we're going to keep doing this.” Well, yeah, you kind of have set a precedent though, haven't you? Because when you bail out one company, that's precedent. The other companies can say you've done it before, so it's a precedent. And Nicola Willis made the point that, oh, this is a thriving company, it's just that emissions cost. Yeah, about that... that's one of those questions. If it's just that emissions cost, then that's not going to change unless you change our obligation to the Paris Agreement and unless you do as other European countries have done and delay the introduction of the ETS or scrap it all together. So “just that emissions cost” is what's snookering a whole lot of New Zealand companies. Fletcher says that New Zealand manufacturers face carbon costs that importers largely avoid. They want to see a carbon border adjustment mechanism, something they say addresses the structural imbalance directly and would let the ETS work as intended without exposing domestic manufacturers like Golden Bay to ongoing domestic advantage. A CBAM would apply a carbon charge to imported goods based on the emissions generated during their production. While we're all being, hey look at us, we're being so good and we're saving the Arctic shelves and we're snookering our own companies because we believe in the greater good of the of the planet and the universe, other countries go, yeah, no, not for us. Not really. We don't buy into that whole ETS thing, so we're not going to do it. They can make their goods a whole lot cheaper on so many levels without the ETS even coming into it. Add the ETS on that, the fact that they're ignoring it completely, no wonder their goods are cheaper. So as Fletcher says, why don't we bring in the carbon border adjustment mechanism so wherever it's made in the world, you have to pay your ETS if we're all going to buy into that. How is a one-off payment going to help given the trading environment isn't changing or they've given no indication of the ETS obligations changing anytime soon? And they won't under Labour and Greens, if anything they'd go up. And if Golden Bay is so critical, why isn't Carter Holt Harvey's pulp and paper and plywood? I would have thought that was pretty critical too. Except of course they closed down and it wasn't an election year. Perhaps that's the difference. Last year Carter Holt Harvey saw the closure of Kinleith and Eves Valley sawmill with the loss of hundreds of jobs. We had the closure of Ravensdown, Smithfield, and Ruapehu. Each of these towns and regions could argue that what they made was critical to the supply chain. It was certainly critical to the economic viability of their particular region, which is not awash in situations vacant. Cameron Bagrie has called the bailout of Golden Bay corporate welfareism. Of course it is. Fletcher says it's not, the Government says it's not, but if it's taxpayer money going to an entity that can't support itself, that's welfareism. Nicola Willis might not want to set a precedent, but she has. And a one-off payment is not going to fix the problem, as Fletcher points out. We have signed up to the Paris Accord, we've said, oh yes, bring on the ETS, please let's cripple ourselves so we can maintain the moral high ground. And in the meantime, we're going to have to import goods that are made by other countries that have stuck two fingers to Paris and said we can't afford it. How does that work? How do we maintain the moral high ground by buying goods from countries that are ignoring their carbon offset obligations? We do our own companies out of business, we put people out of work, and we buy from countries that ignore the ETS. It doesn't make any sense to me at all. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

I have so many questions around the Government bailout of Golden Bay Cement, which is not in fact manufactured in Golden Bay, but in Northland. Fletcher owns the company and they said Golden Bay Cement operates New Zealand's only domestic cement manufacturing facility at Portland near Whangarei. It supplies nearly 60% of the cement used in New Zealand – about 95% of its output is sold domestically. Golden Bay Cement took a long hard look at the account books and participated in an independent assessment which confirmed that without support, rising costs —including carbon costs— would force the closure of the company and a shift to an import only model for cement from 2030. So in steps the Government with a $60 million payout. They say it's a specific one-time response to an exceptional set of circumstances, to keep the plant open at least through to 2040. In return, Golden Bay Cement has committed to continue producing cement at its Northland plant at least until 2040 and to invest at least 150 million through to 2040, phased over time. Finance Minister Nicola Willis told Heather du Plessis Allan last night the decision to offer a bailout was not made lightly and does not set a precedent. “We went through three steps. One, this is quite different in that it is strategically so important that you can produce cement for your domestic economy, that you're not exposed to not being able to have cement if there was an international trade disruption. Two, the financial case here is that actually this is a business that is working overall. The key thing is just that emissions cost. And three, we've set in place some really firm requirements that Golden Bay need to meet in order to get this cash with clawbacks if they don't meet those requirements. And that includes keeping production going through to at least 2040 making $150 million worth of investments in that manufacturing capability, keeping the jobs at that factory going, and having an open book exercise with us, the Government, so that we can audit that investment. So we set a very high bar, we took a very case by case approach. Believe you me, I did not want to be setting a precedent that we're going to keep doing this.” Well, yeah, you kind of have set a precedent though, haven't you? Because when you bail out one company, that's precedent. The other companies can say you've done it before, so it's a precedent. And Nicola Willis made the point that, oh, this is a thriving company, it's just that emissions cost. Yeah, about that... that's one of those questions. If it's just that emissions cost, then that's not going to change unless you change our obligation to the Paris Agreement and unless you do as other European countries have done and delay the introduction of the ETS or scrap it all together. So “just that emissions cost” is what's snookering a whole lot of New Zealand companies. Fletcher says that New Zealand manufacturers face carbon costs that importers largely avoid. They want to see a carbon border adjustment mechanism, something they say addresses the structural imbalance directly and would let the ETS work as intended without exposing domestic manufacturers like Golden Bay to ongoing domestic advantage. A CBAM would apply a carbon charge to imported goods based on the emissions generated during their production. While we're all being, hey look at us, we're being so good and we're saving the Arctic shelves and we're snookering our own companies because we believe in the greater good of the of the planet and the universe, other countries go, yeah, no, not for us. Not really. We don't buy into that whole ETS thing, so we're not going to do it. They can make their goods a whole lot cheaper on so many levels without the ETS even coming into it. Add the ETS on that, the fact that they're ignoring it completely, no wonder their goods are cheaper. So as Fletcher says, why don't we bring in the carbon border adjustment mechanism so wherever it's made in the world, you have to pay your ETS if we're all going to buy into that. How is a one-off payment going to help given the trading environment isn't changing or they've given no indication of the ETS obligations changing anytime soon? And they won't under Labour and Greens, if anything they'd go up. And if Golden Bay is so critical, why isn't Carter Holt Harvey's pulp and paper and plywood? I would have thought that was pretty critical too. Except of course they closed down and it wasn't an election year. Perhaps that's the difference. Last year Carter Holt Harvey saw the closure of Kinleith and Eves Valley sawmill with the loss of hundreds of jobs. We had the closure of Ravensdown, Smithfield, and Ruapehu. Each of these towns and regions could argue that what they made was critical to the supply chain. It was certainly critical to the economic viability of their particular region, which is not awash in situations vacant. Cameron Bagrie has called the bailout of Golden Bay corporate welfareism. Of course it is. Fletcher says it's not, the Government says it's not, but if it's taxpayer money going to an entity that can't support itself, that's welfareism. Nicola Willis might not want to set a precedent, but she has. And a one-off payment is not going to fix the problem, as Fletcher points out. We have signed up to the Paris Accord, we've said, oh yes, bring on the ETS, please let's cripple ourselves so we can maintain the moral high ground. And in the meantime, we're going to have to import goods that are made by other countries that have stuck two fingers to Paris and said we can't afford it. How does that work? How do we maintain the moral high ground by buying goods from countries that are ignoring their carbon offset obligations? We do our own companies out of business, we put people out of work, and we buy from countries that ignore the ETS. It doesn't make any sense to me at all. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

We’re half way through the year and “dry July” is underway. So what better time to talk about health, nutrition and diet? In Leaders Getting Coffee episode 66, our guest is Professor Caryn Zinn, Professor of Nutrition at Auckland University of Technology (AUT). Her story starts in South Africa, where she was born, and her early University studies were conducted in Cape Town. Upon graduation, she moved to New Zealand for what she thought would be a period of time. But it was to become her life. Her first job here was as a public health dietician in Whangarei, but academia called and a Master’s degree focusing on Sports Nutrition and a PhD centred on weight loss followed. A chance engagement in 2014, challenged her conventional nutrition paradigm, and she developed her own nutrition philosophy in light of the emerging science on insulin resistance and metabolic health. Her journey endured multiple challenges from the change resistant establishment, but her conviction ensured that she prevailed. She is now regarded as one of the most recognised leaders in therapeutic carbohydrate reduction, both in New Zealand and abroad. Professor Zinn speaks openly about the challenges of leading pioneering change in a sector that often prefers the comfortable route. But her story is compelling and like any scientist who “follows the evidence” her approach is now well accepted. During the Leaders Getting Coffee podcast, Caryn Zinn speaks to Bruce Cotterill about how a team effort led to the publication of not one, but five books resulting from their research, including the highly regarded “What the Fat?” Her writing has introduced hundreds of thousands of readers around the world to the low-carb, healthy-fat way of eating. There is plenty of discussion about what’s right and wrong with our diets, how we can be better, and how to get help if we need it. There’s also an interesting discussion about how supplements can support our lifestyles and some common sense advice around alcohol consumption. But most of all, this is a story about a high achiever who dared to believe that another way was possible, and in fact better, and who committed herself to changing attitudes and outcomes in a world challenged by change. Leaders Getting Coffee – Episode 66 with Bruce Cotterill and Professor Caryn Zinn See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Hundreds of homes, in a cluster of coastal settlements north of Whangarei, are still cut off due to storm damage, almost six months on. In January, Russell Road at the Helena Bay Hill was swamped in a land slide, leaving some homes in Helena Bay, Oakura, Teal Bay and Whangaruru with limited road access. Robynne Cooper, owner of the Whangaruru Beachfront Campground spoke to Lisa Owen.

For years people have been turning a blind eye to the sale of glass pipes for smoking methamphetamine in shops all around the country. But one young Whangarei resident isn't letting that go unchallenged. Northland reporter Peter de Graaf meets a woman on a mission.

Peter covers the over 65's forced to live in their cars in Whangarei, plus those still out of their homes due to January storms. 

The January storms that battered the coast north of Whangarei are now a distant memory for many people, yet some Northlanders are still living with the effects. Five months later, displaced residents still can't go home, and as Peter de Graaf discovers, some have no home to go to.

A group of Whangarei residents have stepped in to save a second hand bookshop after its owner died earlier in the year. 

Most libraries lend out books. The Human Library lends out people. Founded in Denmark, the global initiative gives people the chance to sit down with a "human book" and have a candid conversation that challenges assumptions and stereotypes through lived experience. One of those human books is Sean Kemball from Whangarei. Diagnosed with ADHD later in life, he spent years wondering why he experienced the world differently from those around him. Receiving a diagnosis helped him make sense of challenges that had followed him since childhood and gave him a new understanding of himself. Through conversations in the Human Library, he shares what it's like to live with ADHD and what changed once he finally had answers.

A quickly spreading, destructive exotic seaweed was found off the coast of Whangarei for the first time this month. It's the latest battle in a war that's been going on since caulerpa was first found in New Zealand waters five years ago. Here to find out how that fight is going is Barb, a trustee for Northland's Conquer Caulerpa. [picture id="4K8NFA7_20250420_134153_jpg" crop="16x10" layout="full"]

It's now helped over two thousand more kids after expanding its operations into Whangarei and Upper Hutt over the years. 

A Northland housing advocate is warning the number of over-65s living in their cars in Whangarei is just the tip of the iceberg. Peter de Graaf reports.

Kainga Ora has just opened Northland's biggest-ever social housing development, a 95-home complex in central Whangarei. Reporter Peter de Graaf met a few lucky tenants, and some of those still waiting.

The surplus train's left the station early in Budget news today, with the country expected to be out of deficit by 2028/29, a year ahead of predictions. Government Ministers are trumpeting that figure, alongside a focus on health and infrastructure. The Waikato Expressway will get 12 more kilometres, Whangarei a new hospital wing and new police stations are on the horizon for Whanganui and Greymouth. The biggest surprise is a tax on banks and insurers, worth roughly $50 million dollars a year. The bowel cancer screening age will lower to 56 by September and increased health funding aims to increase surgeries and reduce wait times. $450 million has been set aside for targeted support, in case the fuel crisis worsens. Finance Minister Nicola Willis says things are tough - but its not the time for lolly scrambles. She says the crisis is hitting many hard - but the country will bounce back with growth and increasing wages. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Tonight, on The Panel, Wallace Chapman is joined by panellists Anna Rāwhiti-Connell and Phil O'Reilly. First up, the big 7.9% rates increase has been passed in Auckland. Mayor Wayne Brown explains why it's necessary. Then, a community support centre in Whangarei is being forced to close, arguably in a time when people need it most. Manager Angela McGregor tells the story.

A Whangarei family must be doing something right... with three members of the Dinsdales having qualified to compete in the BMX Racing World Champs. Father Lance, 18-year-old son Tyla, and 13-year-old Khloe are all heading to Brisbane in July to compete against thousands of elite and amateur riders of all ages from across the world. Tyla Dinsdale spoke to John Campbell.

Three couples have taken a leap and opened a bouldering gym in Whangarei - no ropes, no harnesses and a climb of up to 4.5m.

Doctors are calling for deep systemic changes to primary care and its funding models. Dr Geoff Cunningham, a GP and partner at Bush Road Medical Centre in Whangarei spoke to John Campbell.

Teachers who were with 15-year-old Karnin Petera on a school caving trip in May 2023 gave emotional evidence at an inquest into his death in Whangarei. Northland reporter Peter de Graaf spoke to Melissa Chan-Green.

An inquest into the death of a 15-year-old boy during a school caving trip three years ago is underway in Whangarei. Karnin Petera died when floodwaters surged through the cave he and classmates were exploring during a storm. Northland reporter Peter de Graaf has more.

In part two, shop owners on Whangarei's Bank Street say the installation of a priority T2 lane on the street is severely affecting their business. The council says its just teething issues. One of the affected businesses talks to the panel and begs to differ. Then, the history of and the misconceptions around the origin of the ANZAC biscuit. And if that whets your appetite, here's some biscuit recipes for inspiration this ANZAC weekend.

Want to listen? Just do it as naughty Nike's controversy gets airtime. Whangarei parkrun says a beautiful goodbye to Colin Thorne, the eldest parkrunner in the World. Josh Wishicombe does his first parkrun. Nicola ups her p-Index to 14 at Pontefract and Danny points the way to Holme Pierrepont parkrun in Nottingham.

In Leaders Getting Coffee episode 60, our guest is The Right Honourable David Seymour, Deputy Prime Minister of New Zealand and Leader of the Act Party. To many of us, it seems like David Seymour has been in the public eye for so long that we feel like we know him. And yet, as it turns out, we know very little. He grew up in a Whangarei family, with working parents and a personal ambition shaped partly by a mother who suffered from a disability. As a youngster he was exposed to business and voluntary work, all of which drove a unique work ethic and a passion for the freedoms his generation took for granted. He left the family home for life as a boarder at Auckland Grammar and soon he was at Auckland University studying for degrees in Engineering and Philosophy. He had to work his way through university to make ends meet and talks of forty hour weeks bookended by lectures and assignments. His early career focussed on engineering until the opportunity came to work for a Canadian think tank and a new career path was formed, one that would ultimately see him return to New Zealand, becoming an MP and Act party leader in 2014. On the Leaders Getting Coffee Podcast, David Seymour speaks with Bruce Cotterill about the loneliness of his early years as parliament’s sole Act MP and his focus on working with other politicians, many of whom were not natural bedfellows, to get his End of Life Choice Act passed into law as a result of a referendum in 2020. That led to him ushering in nine additional MP’s in 2020 and Act’s role in parliament has been secured as a result. David Seymour speaks proudly about taking on some of parliament’s tougher challenges, including charter schools, regulatory reform, and the treaty principles bill, as well as the End of Life legislation. This is a man who is passionate about personal freedoms and making New Zealand a better and more productive place for its people. And as one of parliament’s best communicators, he is very clear on some of the challenges ahead.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

It has been a very tough few days for communities in the far north of the country, with some areas receiving around two and a half months' worth of rain in the past 72 hours. In Northland, Civil Defence teams are continuing to assess the damage, and residents are beginning the clean-up. Both the Far North and Whangarei districts are set to remain under a state of emergency for a further six days. To get the latest on the situation, RNZ Pacific journalist Kaya Selby is in Kerikeri.

States of Emergency have been declared in Whangarei and the Far North with storm conditions expected get worse overnight. Northland east of Kaikohe from Doubtless Bay to Whangarei is under a red weather warning until 4am tomorrow. 25 schools closed throughout the region, affecting nearly 4000 students. State Highway 1 is also closed at four different locations around Northland. Civil Defence Co-ordinator in Whangaruru, Noeline Whitehead spoke to Lisa Owen.

The red heavy rain warning for Northland east of Kaikohe from Doubtless Bay to Whangarei remains in place until 4am..

Northlanders are urged to take the red heavy rain warning seriously and be ready to go if they have to. The warning is in place for the eastern area from Doubtless Bay down to Whangarei until 4am Friday. An orange heavy rain warning and strong wind watch remain in place for the rest of the region, with the worst expected to hit from Thursday afternoon. Northland Civil Defence spokesperson Zach Wood spoke to Lisa Owen.

Heavy rain and wind are battering Northland, with up to 320 millimetres of rain expected to fall on the region. Whangarei Mayor Ken Couper spoke to Corin Dann.

In the Northland town of Oakura, locals are adjusting to a new reality - no proper road south to Whangarei for as long as the next three months. The road north reopened on Saturday but it is a long detour, and the emergency route south is narrow, steep and, frankly, frightening. Peter de Graaf reports from a town picking up the pieces after last week's storm.

The Prime Minister says today's the day the Government's preparing a support package the areas severely damaged by recent weather. Recovery efforts are in their sixth day at Mount Maunganui, where six people are still missing in the aftermath of a large landslide. Local states of emergency remain in place for the Tairawhiti regions, Whangarei, Thames Coromandel and Hauraki Districts, and the Bay of Plenty. Christopher Luxon told Mike Hosking he's meeting with Cabinet this morning to discuss funding that's needed immediately. He says different areas need different support, and they will spend whatever they need to. LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Tonight, on The Panel, Wallace Chapman is joined by panellists Denise L'Strange Corbet and Ed Amon. First up, we hear some local voices across the country about how the last week of intense weather has affected them and their communities. We talk to Mike in Paeroa who has been documenting the raging Ohinemuri river, Scott McKenize, the Deputy Mayor of Whangarei, and we also talk to a member of the motorcamp community in Tauranga who knows the Mt Maunganui camp well: she says the true horror of what has happened is just now sinking. Then, former National leader and MP Todd Muller has written an opinion piece regarding the crumbling international world order spearheaded by Donald Trump. Muller explains why he thinks the best bet for New Zealand is to "hunker down".

An RNZ special on the unfolding weather event in the North Island, presented by Ingrid Hipkiss. Red heavy rain warnings are in place for Northland, Coromandel, Bay of Plenty, and Gisborne from Tologa Bay north. Several regions have declared a state of local emergency, including Coromandel, Hauraki, Bay of Plenty, Whangarei and Gisborne Tai Rāwhiti.

Local states of emergency remain in place in Whangarei, Coromandel, Hauraki, the Bay of Plenty and Tairawhiti. Emergency Management and Recovery Minister Mark Mitchell spoke to Melissa Chan-Green.

Donald Trump has given his speech to world and business leaders at Davos in Switzerland; Deb Glasgow has lived in Ōakura for decades, and says last night's weather was some of the worst she's ever seen; The Prime Minister has announced an election date of November 7; Local states of emergency remain in place in Whangarei, Coromandel, Hauraki, the Bay of Plenty and Tairawhiti; Tauranga has been battered by wind and rain that has caused several slips.

Whangarei residents in the hard-hit northeast coast are being urged to stock up on supplies and have emergency plans ready. Northland Civil Defence Emergency Management Group Controller Jenny Calder spoke to Lauren Crimp.

Most flood-damaged roads on Northland's east coast have been cleared after yesterday's torrential rain brought down slips and downed trees. Whangarei Mayor Ken Couper spoke to Melissa Chan-Green.

On today's episode of The Agenda, it's another pointless world first for the ACC as Finn Caddie joins ACC Head G Lane on the road to Whangarei (00:00)! While the fellas head up to join Lou Vincent, Joey Yovich and Davey as they attempt a new Guinness World Record for farthest catch of a hit golf ball, they recap a massive weekend of sport, including the All Blacks beating Wales to end the 2025 season on a win (06:10).Then, they cross to the Cricket Desk to recap the 1st Ashes Test (10:00), and the Black Caps sweeping the Windies (13:30)...Finally, they chat about the drama in the Vegas Grand Prix (17:55) and brainstorm what Dan Hooker's next 1 Minute Scrap should be (22:10)... Did you know that we've launched a new Facebook Group called 'The Caravan' JOIN HERE! Brought to you by Export Ultra! Follow The ACC on Instagram or Facebook or TikTok Subscribe to The Agenda Podcast now on iHeartRadio, YouTube, or wherever you get your podcasts! iHeartRadio Apple Spotify YouTube THANKS MATE! See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Stats NZ latest data shows nearly 73,000 New Zealanders left the country in the past year, while only 26,000 returned. Among those who believe the grass is greener there is Sean Collier, a 27-year-old lawyer and stand-up comedian from Whangarei who moved to Melbourne two years ago.

There's heartbreak among former staff of a Whangarei lion park at news that the seven surviving big cats are due to be put down this week. Kamo Wildlife Sanctuary operator Janette Vallance says the park owners, Bolton Equities, made the difficult decision to euthanise the seven lions, saying there was no options left for them. The park is now closed to the public and the property listed for sale. Northland reporter Peter de Graaf has more.

Unemployment has hit a near nine year high, at 5.3% in the three months ended September. That's 160,000 people out of work, the highest since early 1994. The percentage of unemployed young people between 15 and 24 years old hit 15.2%, with the total not in education or training rising to 13.8%. Chief executive at Whangarei-based tertiary education provider People Potential, Bronwyn Ronayne spoke to Lisa Owen.

Staff at Whangarei Hospital watched on this afternoon as firefighters worked to bring a large fire under control in their carpark. The fire damaged around 28 vehicles. RNZ's Susan Edmunds was at the scene and spoke to Lisa Owen.

In part two, a breast milk bank in Whangarei has been so inundated with donations that they had to get a new freezer. Then, it's been a busy week at the partially restored Christ Church Cathedral, which has opened it's doors to pets and their owners for the first time since the earthquakes.

Across the country today from Whangarei to Invercargill, thousands of people are expected to take part in a Day of Action for Pay Equity.

Populations of North Island brown kiwi, kaka and long-tailed bats are starting to swell as pest control efforts within Pukenui Forest near Whangarei ramp up. 

There's something going on in a once sleepy town just north of Whangarei, it involves cream buns, meat pies and a celebrity chef. Peter de Graaf reports.

Barry & Tesh Gager are the leaders of YWAM Northland in Whangarei, New Zealand. They share their story of how the Lord gripped their heart for the church to be a light in this land and in the nations in bringing cultural healing and reconciliation. YWAM Northland - https://www.ywamzion.org.nz/Find out more about YWAM Furnace below

The company founded by Sir Michael Hill says the country has lost a special New Zealander. He died this morning aged 86, after becoming ill with cancer. Michael Hill Jeweller had humble beginnings in Whangarei, but grew to become a multi-national brand with almost 300 stores. Kim Baker Wilson reports.

Fletcher Building is using hard-to-recycle plastics as fuel for its Golden Bay cement factory, in Whangarei. 

There's a massive weekend of rugby ahead with the All Blacks' first international of the year - playing France at Dunedin at the Forsyth Barr stadium. And it's already a bit controversial with France deciding NOT to send its top tier players. Also today - the Maori All Blacks are playing against Scotland in Whangarei - marking 25 years since the two sides last met AND the Black Ferns have one of their last games here before the World Cup. We're joined by RNZ Sport's Joe Porter

Friendships will be put to one side this weekend when the Black Ferns take on the Black Ferns XV in a trial match in Whangarei on Saturday afternoon. Players admitted the hits at training have had a little extra heat behind them lately as hopefuls look to book their ticket to England. Sports reporter Jonty Dine spoke to Lisa Owen.