The part of The Strand in Kororāreka-Russell which is about to become a more pedestrian-friendly environment on a six-month trial.
The part of The Strand in Kororāreka-Russell which is about to become a more pedestrian-friendly environment on a six-month trial.
New traffic management plan for Russell
The Bay of Islands-Whangaroa Community Board began a six-month pedestrian trial on The Strand, which encompasses half the town’s waterfront in Kororāreka-Russell.
The trial aims to explore the benefits of a pedestrian-friendly environment by partially closing The Strand to vehicle traffic. It was officiallyopened on December 7 by celebrated Russellites Rev Heather Lindauer and artist, Helen Pick.
Approximately 230m of the northern section of The Strand, past the Duke of Marlborough, will remain open as a shared space for pedestrians, cyclists, and vehicles. The remaining 210m section will be temporarily closed to vehicle traffic, while access for essential vehicles will be maintained.
Cass St, which runs east-west between the waterfront and York St, will be narrowed to discourage traffic from entering.
Planter boxes positioned in Cass St, Russell, to deter parking while the new waterfront layout is being trialled. Photo/Jane Hindle
The 10-minute loading bay next to Russell Fresh will have planters to prevent people from leaving their cars there. Rock gardens will extend the Waharoa plantings to further narrow the Cass-Strand intersection and wine barrels will be used to restrict access.
Although planters will reduce access there will be no loss of official parking spaces and the disabled park near the wharf will remain.
The six-month trial started on December 6 and will see the pedestrianisation of The Strand past Russell Fresh down to Haratu with access for residents and essential vehicles only
During the trial there is opportunity for feedback which is encouraged by Far North District Council.
The change in traffic management came about as a result of “pop-up” meetings held in the small Far North town over the past year. A majority of submissions favoured closing The Strand altogether and in the end a compromise was reached.
Cool collaboration for Kerikeri Basin
A cool collaboration is about to bring chills to local ice cream afficianados, in the best possible way.
The Kerikeri Gelato Company – makers of gelato, sorbet and frozen yoghurt – has teamed up with the Honey House Cafe located behind the Stone Store and Kemp House near the Kerikeri Basin.
The Stone Store and Kemp House are cared for by Heritage New Zealand Pouhere Taonga and are Tohu Whenua. Both historic buildings are open to the public.
The distinctive Kerikeri Gelato Company cart will be parked outside the Honey House providing icey refreshments to Kerikeri Basin visitors over summer.
Local Kerikeri gelato company has teamed up with Kerikeri Mission Station to provide ice cream over the summer months.
The family company translated their love of growing blueberries into making tasty frozen treats incorporating locally sourced ingredients as much as possible. They are using recyclable pots and spoons for environmental sustainability.
The one goal of the Kerikeri Gelato Company is “to bring joy to our customers with every cone, pot and tub”
Liz Bigwood, Kerikeri Mission Station property lead, says the Kororipo Heritage Park is a favourite destination for families – out-of-town visitors, as well as locals who come to enjoy the landscape around two of New Zealand’s oldest heritage buildings.
“The Honey House is a big part of that experience drawing thousands of people every summer.
“We’re pleased be able to offer locally produced gelato, courtesy of the Kerikeri Gelato Company, as well as the regular Honey House favourites.”
The company’s gelato and other frozen treats will be available at the Kerikeri Basin through to mid April.
Tall Ships regatta returns
An annual Tall Ships regatta has been held in early January since 1976 and it’s making another return for 2025. It’s the 49th year of Russell Boating Club hosting the regatta.
Two years ago 86 vessels of all ages, sizes and designs took part in the Tall Ships Regatta and the club expects the same number for 2025. It hasn’t got back to the heyday of international tall ships entering the regatta 10 years ago but it’s a healthy, if somewhat eclectic, entry list nonetheless.
Last year the oldest boat competing was Undine, built in Kerikeri in 1877. The regatta was won by the R Tucker Thompson, the gaff-rigged schooner that makes its base on Ōpua and is run by a charity. It won the handicap and trophy events and was skippered by Marcel De Wilde.
The annual event is touted as a spectacle of sail rather than a serious race, but that doesn’t dim some sailors’ determination to take out top honours in each division.
Vessels jockey for position at the start of the race in 2023. Photo / NZME
Division 1 is for tall ships. Other divisions are classic ships, junk-rigged ships and all-comers. Monohull vessels of not less than 9.14m (30′) on deck, with two or more masts are accepted and may include square rig as well as fore and aft rig yachts.
Race entries will be available online at a discounted rate until December 30. Entries will also be accepted at the race desk at the Russell Boating Club between 4pm and 7pm on the Friday prior to the regatta and between 7.30am and 10am on the day of the regatta.
Most competitors are expected to complete the course by late afternoon in time for the 6pm prizegiving at the club’s Matauwhi Bay headquarters.
Alongside the traditional regatta there is an equally time-honoured hāngī where up to 700 hungry sailors and spectators will feast on what is considered New Zealand’s biggest hāngī.
The Tall Ships Regatta starts at midday on January 11, 2025 off Russell Wharf.
Paihia parking
The Far North District Council has installed a modernised parking payment system at the Williams Rd carpark. It uses licence plate recognition technology similar to that used at the Bay of Islands Airport but without the barrier arms.
Anyone parking can use multiple payment options including a cashless on-site parking machine, a mobile phone app or online payment.
Council advised the aim of the new payment system is to significantly reduce unpaid parking fees and the increased fees will help to pay for carpark maintenance. They allowed a 10-minute free access period of grace and called for community feedback.
Rae Smythe said on Facebook the information posted lacked information.
“No idea or explanation how we will be able to pay or how the payment system will work. Do we use our card in the machine that’s cashless, do we download an app like Whangārei and have credit in there to use or some other mysterious way? By the time you’ve figured it out 30 minutes have already passed.
The 160-space Williams Road carpark in Paihia now has licence plate recognition technology and other cashless methods of paying for parking.
“I don’t mind paying $2 per hour,” she said “but you can bet your bottom dollar that will change on the 1st July.”
Adele Earnshaw pointed out that Warkworth (population nearly 8000) and Kerikeri (8400) both have larger populations than Paihia (less than 1800) and yet parking in both towns is free and doesn’t rely on number plate technology.
“If this is a way of getting another buck out of the tourists then I understand but if this is hi-tech parking with number plate recognition then surely there is a way of giving locals a break?” she asked.
As a result of the feedback, FNDC upped the 10-minute free parking allowance at the end of November to 30-minute free parking. Their November 28 post said the parking fee will remain unchanged for the 2025 financial year which ends on June 30.
