Our Kerikeri Community Charitable Trust

17/04/2026

🖌️🎨 🙌

My next Kerikeri mural is underway! I'll be posted up here between thunderstorms for the next wee while 😊🍊🥝🍋🐝

08/04/2026

Conservation and protection of our natural (and built) environment is a top concern for our community. Fancy learning about predator control? Check it out.

Are you new to trapping? Do you want to learn more from an expert trapper?
If you answered yes to either question, here's your chance: Kiwi Coast community conservation coordinator Mae Lewis will be giving a workshop at our upcoming Conservation Fair about the basics of pest control and how trapping can help protect our native wildlife.
Mae's practical workshop will cover common pest species, the damage they do, how to safely set and maintain traps, and simple tips for running an effective trap line at home or in your community.
Mae is based in North Hokianga where she works alongside community and hapū-led groups to build skills, confidence and connections in predator control and kiwi monitoring, helping communities protect the places and species they love.
Our Conservation Fair will run from noon to 4pm on 25 April at Kingston House, on Hone Heke Rd, Kerikeri.
Mae's workshop will run from 1.45-2.45pm.

08/04/2026

There are amazing people in communities across the Far North. And sometimes it’s those people who need support. Even in tough times Northlanders are a generous bunch. Perhaps you are one of those people who can help someone in need?

Her Kaitāia Whānau in Need group grew from a single Facebook plea for help.

31/03/2026

Looking for something worthwhile, fun and outdoorsy to do this weekend? How about joining our friends at Puketī HQ Trapping Loops Project for their Good Friday Doing Good in the Ngahere! See the poster for details... They'll even give you free soup and hot cross buns for helping set up their newest trap line.

23/03/2026

A new New Zealand shore excursions (Shorex) record was set in the Bay of Islands last month following the visit of the cruise liner Discovery Princess.

18/03/2026

Have your say

‼️**Northland Corridor Update: Warkworth to Te Hana** ‼️
👇HAVE YOUR SAY ABOUT TOLLING OPTIONS:

The proposed 26km Warkworth to Te Hana route is a key part of the Northland Corridor — a Road of National Significance linking Warkworth to Whangārei. It will provvide:
✔️ Faster trips (saving around 7–10 minutes)
✔️ Safer journeys through the Dome Valley
✔️ Better connections for freight, tourism, and locals

💡 **What about tolling?**
NZTA is assessing this road as a *tolled route* to help fund construction and future sections of the corridor — meaning projects can get underway sooner.

👉 The proposal includes **two toll points** (rather than one) to keep things fair and reduce traffic diverting onto local roads:

* $1.50 (north)
* $3.00 (south)
* $4.50 total for the full journey (light vehicles)

🚗 A free alternative route will still be available via State Highway 1.

This is a big step toward a safer, more resilient transport network for Northland — with long-term benefits for our region’s growth and connectivity.

The online survey is here:
https://nzta.mysocialpinpoint.com/warkworth-te-hana-tolling-consultation

17/03/2026

Cruise Visitors – Your Future Overnight Guests

There’s still a perception that cruise ship passengers don’t spend when they come ashore.

But the reality tells a different story.

Cruising has changed. It’s no longer just an older demographic — today’s passengers include families, younger couples, and experience-driven travellers, with industry data showing a large proportion are Gen X and younger.

And when they arrive, they want more than the ship.

They’re looking to:
👉 Experience local culture and stories
👉 Explore beautiful places and hidden gems
👉 Shop, wander, and connect with the destination

In New Zealand alone, cruise visitors have contributed hundreds of millions in annual spend, reinforcing that what happens onshore matters.

But here’s the part we often underestimate…

They are our marketers 📸

Younger cruise passengers in particular are highly social and visually driven. When they discover a great spot — a stunning view, a vibrant street, a unique store, or an incredible meal — they don’t just enjoy it…

📸 They share it.
📍 They tag it.
🌍 They showcase it to the world.

That exposure is powerful — authentic, trusted, and essentially free marketing for our region.

And it doesn’t stop there.

Research shows that around 6 in 10 cruise passengers return to destinations they first visited by ship — often staying longer the next time.

So that few hours in town?

It’s not just a visit.
It’s a first impression.
It’s a future booking.
It’s a story being shared far beyond our shores.

If we get the experience right — welcoming, vibrant, and uniquely local — cruise visitors don’t just pass through…

They promote us, and they come back.

Whilst this article isn’t just about cruise ships, it is one form of tourism that shouldn’t be underestimated.

OPINION Tourism hot spots like the Bay of Islands face big costs locals now shoulder.

07/03/2026

07/03/2026

Yay Northland, finally a statistic worth celebrating!

“But perhaps the most remarkable story comes from right here in Northland.

For years, Northland has been highlighted for its disproportionately poor health outcomes, but the latest survey is extremely encouraging, indicating Northlanders are now more physically active than those in most other parts of the country.

The survey shows 64% of Northland adults are now meeting physical activity guidelines, an increase from 56% in 2023. Even more impressive is the rise in activity levels of young people, also jumping to 64% compared with 51% in 2023.

It’s worth noting that these results make Northland the fourth-most-active region in the country for adults, and even more impressively, the second-most-active region for young people.

Go Northland! Let’s keep these good stats coming!

OPINION: Northland ranks fourth for active adults and second for active young people.

05/03/2026