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Community News

Island Recovers After Night of Chaos: Road Closures and Flight Delays Continue

Great Barrier is waking up to the full extent of the damage following a relentless overnight deluge that has left the island’s infrastructure heavily compromised. While the tropical system has begun to move off, leaving behind a mix of sun…

Community News

Civil Defence Alert as Heavy Rain Batters Aotea

THIS IS A LIVE STORY – PLEASE REFRESH YOUR BROWSER FOR THE LATEST – SEND YOUR PICTURES AND VIDEOS TO EDITOR@AOTEAGBI.NEWS UPDATE: 08:30 PM. The Aotea Great Barrier Emergency Response Team (ERT) has issued an urgent directive for all residents…

Community News

Ferry and Flights Grounded as Heavy Rain Targets Island

Aotea remains on high alert with a significant weather system continuing to batter the island for at least the next 24 hours. Residents are being urged to stay home and minimize all non-essential travel as heavy rain and gale-force winds…

Community News

Community pig hunt planned as wild boars back on local board table

The Department of Conservation has confirmed plans for a community pig hunt on Great Barrier Island in July 2026, after wild pigs were reportedly tabled as a priority issue for the newly-elected Local Board. Four of the five board members…

Community News

Pies, Petrol, and Pad Thai: The Improbable Success of Mulberry Grove Store

If you tried to design the most complicated retailer in New Zealand, you’d be hard-pressed to get more imaginative than Mulberry Grove Store. Perched at the edge of Tryphena, overlooking the pōhutukawa-lined shores, it’s a general store, a gas station,…

Community News

Finny’s at Puriri Bay: A New Destination for Fresh Kai and Coastal Adventure

There is a new reason to head to Puriri Bay this summer. While the bay has long been a favorite for its sheltered waters and sunset views, the arrival of Finny’s—a bespoke Airstream-style food caravan—is turning this quiet corner of…

Community News

By-Catch off Barrier: Viral Video Sparks Outrage

A video capturing hundreds of dead fish floating off the coast of Great Barrier Island has gone viral today, amassing thousands of responses and reigniting a fierce debate over commercial fishing practices in the Hauraki Gulf. The footage, captured by…

Community News

SeaLink Cancels Evening Sailing Amid Strong Winds

SeaLink has cancelled its replacement evening sailing from Auckland to Great Barrier Island due to weather. The extra service had been planned to accommodate passengers affected by this morning’s cancelled 7am sailing, but gale-force southeast winds have persisted longer than…

Community News

Storm lashes Island, disrupting peak summer travel

Severe weather is sweeping across Great Barrier Island, disrupting summer holiday plans and forcing flight and ferry cancellations as strong winds and heavy rain batter the upper North Island. An active low-pressure system moved south onto the North Island overnight,…

Community News

Locals Rally After Yacht Runs Aground

Photos / Scott Bogue