Whangarei

Karnin Ahorangi Petera, who was 15, died after he was swept away by the powerful current inside the flooded cave.

Whangārei Mayor Vince Cocurullo says a new $200 million solar farm in Bream Bay’s Ruakākā is a major step towards building Te Tai Tokerau’s resilience.

Groups interested in the Whangārei coastline have had their evidence heard in the Whangārei High Court as part of the second phase of the Marine and Coastal Act applications.

The second phase of the Marine and Coastal Applications is nearing a close as groups with interests in the Whangārei coastline take a seat in the High Court to be heard.

It currently has two Māori ward councillors, Phoenix Ruka and Deb Harding, who were established in the last election.

“At this stage, we do not know what the cause for the tower falling was," said a Transpower spokesperson.

The region was blasted with heavy rain overnight, which caused some power outages and left parts of the region underwater.

After five decades in service, financial pressure, loss of qualified staff and dropping enrolment numbers has led to the closure of the Whangārei Childcare Centre.

Four fire crews were called out to the blaze in the suburb of Tikipunga at 2.40am on Monday where a car was also found ablaze.

Fears are mounting for Whangārei’s rough sleepers as hopes for a night shelter before winter comes have been dashed.