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.
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…
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…
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,…
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…
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…
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…
Sunair Grounded Over Safety Breach – Barrier Flights Still Operating via Charter
Flights to and from Great Barrier Island are continuing—just not with Sunair. The regional airline, which serves the island from Ardmore, Whitianga, Whangārei and Tauranga, has been grounded by the Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) after a maintenance audit uncovered failings…
Viaduct to host Startup Week celebrating Kiwi innovation
Auckland’s waterfront will play host to the country’s first-ever Startup Week, with the Viaduct, Wynyard Quarter and central city venues set to showcase ideas, innovation, and investment from October 20–24. Billed as a chance to connect the edge of the…