Community News – Great Barrier Island News

Great Barrier named ‘The Next Frontier’ by BOSS Magazine

Great Barrier Island has been highlighted as one of the world’s emerging travel destinations by BOSS Magazine, a publication focusing on entrepreneurship, technology, and innovative lifestyle experiences for global business leaders, digital nomads, and tech entrepreneurs. In its recent article…

Community News

Pigs, Stars, Seedlings & Stags: The Aotea Autumn Roundup

BUSH PIGS VS STAGS: A ROARING WEEKEND OF RUGBY The mighty Bush Pigs clashed with the Katikati Stags in a memorable home game on Aotea, organised thanks to local player Tyler Mitai Sykes and the wider Sykes whānau. Despite a…

Health Trustees on a recent site inspection of the new Community Health Centre wing. Photo / GBICHT

Community News

Health Centre Expansion, Nurse Tribute: Aotea’s Big Day

Great Barrier Island will celebrate two significant milestones on Saturday, April 12, with the opening of the Community Health Centre’s new wing and the retirement of beloved nurses Leonie Howie and Adele Robertson. The event begins at 1:00 pm at…

The Great Barrier Island Ambulance Station in Tryphena. Photo / Supplied

Community News

Community Rallies as Volunteer Paramedic Temporarily Steps Back

The familiar fluorescent Great Barrier Island ambulance will continue to be seen rolling through the island’s roads, even with a key member of the team sidelined. Volunteer paramedic Adam Johnston recently suffered a back injury, forcing him to take a…

Community News

Great Barrier Island News Roundup

Basketball Court Upgrade Underway: Upgrades to the Medlands playground basketball court, including pickleball lines, begin on March 10th and are expected to be completed by Friday. Thanks to the Aotea/Great Barrier Local Board for this community improvement. Harvest Hub Goodies:…

Community News

Turning Challenges into Opportunities – Aotea’s New Podcast Inspires Change

If you’ve ever wondered how other island communities tackle big challenges—think climate change, tourism, and keeping young people from leaving—Outside In a new podcast might just have the answers. Produced by Small Island Big Ideas, this series takes listeners on…

Great Barrier's Medlands white sand beach with New Zealand native toi toi fauna and mountain view. Photo / Mark Russell

Community News

Man Airlifted After Near-Drowning at Medlands Beach

A man has been rescued from the water and flown to intensive care after a medical emergency at Medlands beach. A group of rescuers performed CPR and used a defibrillator to revive the man before emergency services arrived. A Hato…

Community News

TV Star George Clarke in Awe of Great Barrier’s Natural Beauty

Great Barrier Island has a new high-profile visitor, with British TV celebrity George Clarke arriving on the motu and sharing his enthusiasm for the island with his quarter of a million Instagram followers. Clarke, best known for his property and…

Exploring new bounds: Dogs could enjoy their last leashed walks before proposed changes at Pah Beach.

Community News

Events and Updates on Aotea

Community BBQ at Growers and Makers Market The Local Board will host a BBQ at the Growers and Makers Market at Claris Conference Centre on Saturday 1 March, from 10am. The event offers residents an opportunity to share their ideas…

Community News

Record-Breaking Grommie Surf Comp Hits Awana Shores!

The annual ABC Grommie Surf Competition made waves this year, literally and figuratively, with a landmark event held for the first time at Awana Beach. Traditionally hosted at Medlands, the change of scenery proved a resounding success, adding to an…