Archives – Great Barrier Island News

The Auckland Council service centre and local board office in Claris—hub of local decision-making on Great Barrier Island. Photo / Auckland Council

Community News

Full Slate for Local Board as Barrier Icons Return — Notable Name Missing

Nominations for the Great Barrier Local Board and the Waitematā and Gulf Ward officially closed at midday Friday, August 1, with a full field confirmed for both contests. A total of eight names are in the mix for the Aotea/Great…

Community News

Regional Aviation in Crisis: Barrier Air Joins Chorus for Reform

Barrier Air CEO Grant Bacon says the cost of keeping regional airlines airborne is spiralling out of control, with even well-run operators now cutting services, selling aircraft, and urging government to intervene before more carriers collapse. Speaking to Kathryn Ryan,…

Community News

Holiday Magic: Now You See Your Money, Now You Don’t

While living in Christchurch under another name, Nicola Tomlinson ran a travel company trading on Aotea’s identity — and left creditors across the country owed more than $100,000.

Community News

Island Roundup: Hunting Notice, Events, and Sea Snake Warning

Another Sea Snake Spotted at Medlands Beach Another venomous sea snake was spotted on Medlands Beach, midway between Twin Pines and The Lane. The Department of Conservation has advised the public to keep a safe distance and allow the tide…

Environment - Aotea Green

Council Imposes New Planning Controls on Five Barrier Sites

Five sites on Great Barrier Island have been brought under new cultural planning controls by Auckland Council, following a vote of its Policy and Planning Committee this month. The sites—Hirakimatā (Mount Hobson), Komahunga, Korotiti, Poutekorua, and Ruahine—are the first on…

Greenpeace petition reignites call for bottom trawling ban in Hauraki Gulf

Greenpeace has launched a fresh petition calling on Oceans and Fisheries Minister Shane Jones to ban bottom trawling, scallop dredging, and Danish seining across the Hauraki Gulf Marine Park. The campaign argues that a century of seabed damage from mobile…

Community News

Barrier Buzz launches with Aotea honey and local jobs

A new soft drink brand using honey from Great Barrier Island is making its debut at the Auckland Food Show this week, with plans to roll out nationwide. Barrier Buzz is the first product from the locally owned Aotea Company,…

Red Helicopter against a blue sky. Isaac benhesed / Unsplashed

Community News

Council Votes to Freeze New Helipads on Gulf Islands Despite Officer Advice and Community Feedback

Auckland Council has voted to pursue a blanket ban on new private helipads across the Hauraki Gulf Islands—scrapping a more nuanced planning process and throwing out all public submissions made through Plan Modification 16 (PM16), including those from Great Barrier…

Community News

Wreckage from Puriri Bay Crash Seen for First Time

Leon Foster – barrier icon, founder of the Aotea Army, and a man known for mobilising locals to help neighbours in need – has come face to face with the wreckage of the Freelander that nearly killed him. “This is…

Community News

Great Barrier Garden Tours return this November

One of the island’s most popular annual events is back—and if you blinked, you might’ve already missed out. Great Barrier Island’s Spectacular By Nature Garden Tours return on Saturday 29 November, and one of the four tours sold out in…