Barrier.news – Page 32 – Great Barrier Island News – Barrier.news – Aotea Great Barrier Island News

Looking Down at Port Fitzroy Great Barrier Island. Photo / DoC

Community News

Great Barrier Island Sees Population Boom: 33.7% Increase Over Five Years

Great Barrier Island (Aotea) has experienced a population rise of 33.7% between 2018 and 2023. A contrast to the previous period of 2013-2018 when the population saw a minor decline. The latest census figures reveal 1251 people now call Aotea…

Outdoor light is Key to combating seasonal depression, says neurobiology researcher Anna Wirz-Justice.

IsleStyle

Winter Blues? More Light in Your Life Could Help

Outdoor light is Key to combating seasonal depression, says neurobiology researcher Anna Wirz-Justice. Photo / Auckland Unlimited If you’re feeling sadder as the days get shorter, you’re not alone. Around half the population report feeling less happy in winter and…

Great Barrier Island is literally off the map when it comes to Auckland Transport's 10-year plan. Photo / AT

Community News

No Mention of Aotea in 10-Year Transport Plan

Great Barrier Island is literally off the map when it comes to Auckland Transport’s 10-year plan. Photo / AT Great Barrier Island (Aotea) has been conspicuously excluded from the latest Regional Land Transport Plan (RLTP) out of Auckland Transport. The…

Motairehe Road, now newly sealed, offers smoother and safer travel for over 25 families. Photo / Supplied

Community News

Smooth Road Ahead: Motairehe Gets New Seal

Motairehe Road, now newly sealed, offers smoother and safer travel for over 25 families. Photo / Supplied The once bumpy ride down Motairehe Road has been smoothed out with a new seal extension. 1.2 km of previously unsealed road, regularly…

A school of parore fish swim alongside mussels growing at a farm in New Zealand Photo / Lucy Underwood / University of Auckland

Mussel and Seaweed Farming in Hauraki Gulf Boosts Fish Populations, Study Shows

Mussel and seaweed farming in the Hauraki Gulf can increase wild fish populations and boost diversity, according to new research. A project by the University of Auckland, and the University of New England assessed the diversity and abundance of wild…

The cutting-edge VS-9 is currently undergoing testing in the Hauraki Gulf and will be fitted with a cabin top once trials are complete. Photo / Supplied

Cutting-Edge Electric Hydrofoiling Ferry Hits the Hauraki Gulf

Fullers' latest ferry technology could reduce the journey to Great Barrier Island to under two hours.

Te Kura O Okiwi. Photo via Auckland Council

Community News

Barrier Schools Face Learning Support Crisis – NZEI

Rural school principals across New Zealand, including those on Great Barrier Island, are facing a dire shortage of learning support specialists, warns Jane Corcoran from the education union NZEI Te Riu Roa. The issue is particularly acute in isolated areas,…

Golden Rose, Adrift, Ashore. Photo / Supplied

Community News

Ferry Adrift, Trees Down: Storm Unleashes Fury on Aotea

Aotea/Great Barrier Island residents are rallying together and picking up the pieces today after a ferocious storm ripped through the motu over the past 24 hours. The storm, which brought howling winds, torrential thunderstorms, and hail, uprooted trees, tore boats…

Crayfish pots aboard the Crusader. Photo / Toitū Fishing NZ

Environment

MPI Justifies Controversial Crayfishing Permits, Accepts Consultation Failures

The Ministry for Primary Industries (MPI) has defended its controversial decision to permit commercial fishing within Controlled Area Notice (CAN) regions on Aotea Great Barrier Island, where locals and recreational fishermen have been banned for years. Despite MPI defending the…

Waves crash against the rocks on Aotea's east coast, foreshadowing the high winds and thunderstorms to come. Photo / Will Trafford

Community News

Gales and Thunderstorms Batter Aotea, Flights, Ferry Cancelled

Waves crash against the rocks on Aotea’s east coast, foreshadowing the high winds and thunderstorms to come. Photo / AoteaGBI.news Brace yourself, Barrier. A powerful storm system is bringing severe gales, heavy rain, and potentially damaging thunderstorms. The MetService has…