Fire Ban – let’s be careful out there Northland
The Northland Region Fire Service and Principle Rural Fire Officers request your help in notifying the public that the drought and fire bans will continue in spite of the minor rains predicted for Northland this week. Read more
What next after a prize winning Garden Centre
Story by Hannah Spyksma
After selling Mangawhai’s award winning Naja Garden Centre barely 18 months ago, local business veterans, Natalie and Jac Spyksma have just announced the opening of their latest venture.
The couple have opened a business in Langs Beach, providing two or three day fully catered walking adventures for small groups. Read more
Waipu has Alpacas
The small Northland village of Waipu is known for many things, and those of you who keep your eyes open may have seen Alpacas in some of the paddocks.
I have just found out about Kandiah Alpacas who breed them, and also have a farmstay where you can stay and enjoy the Alpacas inquistive nature, and a touch of Bream Bay Country life.
New Convenience Store at Marsden Cove
Marina View Store
Kathy Pantling and Gary have opened a brand new convenience store at The Marsden Cove Marina in One Tree Point, it is open 7 days a week selling groceries, newspapers and Magazines as well as
- yummy New Zealand Natural scooped Ice cream
- fresh espresso coffee
- freshly baked bread
- slices, cakes and pies
- we also hire out DVDs.
Many locals and boaties have already become regular customers as have some local refinery workers… worth a look.
Fairy Terns in Bream Bay
The Fairy Tern Charitable Trust is trying to raise awareness and money to help this critically endangered species. Some of these birds nest and feed in Waipu and Ruakaka Wildlife Sanctuaries.
[Gallery not found]With a population of less than 40 birds including just 10-12 breeding pairs the New Zealand fairy tern Tara-iti is New Zealand’s rarest endemic breeding bird.
You can help – join the trust, become a volunteer, buy a 2010 Calendar Fairy Tern Charitable Trust Read more
Langs Beach Lodge – walking adventures
Bream Bay has a new tourist accommodation which focuses on walkers …
Langs Beach Lodge has been developed by the former owners of the successful Naja Garden Centre in Mangawhai Natalie and Jac Spyksmas.  They are offering their lovely home as an accommodation base for 2-3 day short break walking adventures. Natalie and Jac are both keen walkers themselves, they appreciate and enjoy the sense of camaraderie and wellbeing that having an adventure like this creates. Over the last 18 months, they have enjoyed walks in Europe, Japan and New Zealand. Read more
Get involved in Conservation Issues in Bream Bay
Local DOC worker Abby Meagher is keen to work with people who would like to do conservation volunteering in Waipu, Bream Bay and Mangawhai by contacting me.
The Godwits have arrived
Bev and Ron McCracken of One Tree Point have reported their first sighting this season of hundreds of Godwits landing on the beach at Marsden Bay at the turn of the tide on Sunday 19 September.
Around 4,000 bar tailed godwits return to Whangarei Harbour each summer after overwintering in Siberia and Alaska.  They fly 11,000 kms non stop to reach these shores and arrive thin and exhausted.  Over summer they can frequently be seen feeding at Marsden Bay, and on King Tide when other parts of the harbour are under water, they flock to the sand spit at the Ruakaka River Mouth.
Waipu now has petrol…. whoopee!!!
The new Gasoline Alley is up and going in Waipu’s main street – it looks great and once again traffic is coming back into the village to fill up, and not before time according to some of the locals and retailers. Local idendity George Phiske and his guide dog, did the honours in early September, along with the piper, free sausages and icecreams, it was a great start.¬† Good luck to the team!!
Naja’s Garden Centre, Mangawhai
Najas Garden Centre and Cafe
Naja Garden Centre at Mangawhai Heads specialises in quality coastal plants- and with the added attraction of a gift shop and café making great coffee, it is a must for gardeners to visit.
Naja Garden Centre has been operating since 1981, and has built its reputation on giving great advice and really knowing about plants, what we need in our coastal environment.
They have won heaps of awards, and as a local family owned business, they have that special X factor, that you know you are talking to people who know about plants, not just about sales.
Owners, Terry and Sue Poynter together with daughter Shannon, aim to serve the local and wider community by providing the best quality products, professional and helpful advice and superb, friendly service.
