Arikinui Gerrard stopped in at the Visitor Information Centre Dargaville and the Kauri Coast. Photo/Sue Taylor.
Arikinui Gerrard is cycling the length of the country to raise funds for Lifeline and to speak to communities about youth suicide and depression.
He's only a few days into his epic journey but has already made an impact on those he's met along the way.
He recently rode through Dargaville, after setting off from Cape Reinga just a few days ago, stopping at the Kauri Coast Information Centre to soak up the views of the Northern Wairoa River and to speak to locals.
There he met information centre manager Sue Taylor, who was impressed with the young man's goals.
"It was great to meet Arikinui on his stopover here in Dargaville and to talk to him about his reason for cycling New Zealand from top to bottom. We need to talk more openly about teen suicide and depression and let people know there is always someone willing to listen and help."
Gerrard says he's passionate about raising awareness because of the impact that youth suicide and depression has had on his own life.
"I had a cousin who committed suicide and it not only affected him but his family and wider community, and I've suffered from depression myself and I even contemplated a few things when I was younger also."
It was during this time of darkness a few years ago that Arikinui reached out to Lifeline.
Lifeline was his saviour, he said.
"I looked on the internet and Googled Lifeline. They helped me from there and talked me out of it."
Arikinui hopes to return the favour by raising at least $5000 for Lifeline.
Furthermore he is hoping to talk to people along the way and support communities by discussing depression and ways to cope.
He encourages those battling depression to keep going and seek help.
"Surround yourself around family if you can, always take one day at a time, because tomorrow could be your best day, you just never know … just hang in there and stay strong, exercise helps, get out go for a walk, talk to a mate, talk to someone, just talk about it."
I just felt I had to do something for people who are struggling in Aotearoa and try to make awareness of depression and suicide known to communities all around New Zealand.
"I hope to achieve my goal of biking from Cape Reinga to the Bluff and what I'm trying to achieve is to spread awareness and encourage others to seek help."
"I've never ever done anything like this before and it's pretty new to me. I'm only a few days in and my knee is giving me a little grief, but I'm not one to give up, so I'll even carry my bike to the Bluff if I have to."
Arikinui is happy to talk to people on his journey. To get in touch call 022 379 0058.
You can follow Arikinui's journey on Facebook arikinui Gerrard, Instagram arikiniu_gerrard and on snapchat arikinuig.
The people of Dargaville have spoken and they want wheelie bins instead of plastic bags to dispose of their rubbish.
A whopping 97.6 per cent of 270 respondents to a poll said they wanted to replace plastic bags with wheelie bins.
"If they (council) are really serious about cutting down on the usage of plastic bags – they will bring in bins," said Bill Kerr.
"Yes wheelie bins are needed, especially with the amount of animals that are left to roam around and make a mess of all the plastic bags ...," said Tammy Hemi.
The majority of the respondents were happy to accept that this might mean an increase in their rates too.
"Yep I agree, it needs to be included in our rates, you don't just get stuff for free. I do, however, feel that something does need to change in our region regarding rubbish bags, as they are not the best bag for the price people pay.
"I see a lot of rubbish dumped on the corner of Waihoeand ParoreWest Rds which is becoming more frequent," said Jenn Hall.
A council spokesman confirmed they would consider wheelie bins as an option if there was considerable buy-in from the community.
"With regards to wheelie bins, it is council's intention to do some public consultation during the 18/19 year around kerbside and recycling collections and people's thoughts on how this should be done and what they want.
"The current service provided is based on 100 per cent user pays, hence the purchase of bags and charges at the Transfer Station, there is no ratepayer funding utilised for this service.
"If we were to introduce wheelie bins and recycling bins there will be an additional targeted rate added to cover the cost of this service. These costs will all be estimated and included as part of the consultation so everyone can make an informed decision.
"Currently council does not provide any wheelie bins in the district, if people use them that has been arranged through private means directly with waste companies.
"Obviously provision of this service is not cheap and we would be needing considerable buy in from ratepayers within the Kaipara District."
5What other districts pay:4
Whangarei ratepayers are charged a targeted rate of $174 a year for a recycling bin (they can also drop off recycling at the Resort centre for free because they have paid the targeted rate), bags need to be purchased for kerbside collection of general refuse. Wheelie bins can be rented through private companies.
Wellsford ratepayers pay a targeted rate of $101.63 for a recycling wheelie bin that is emptied once a fortnight. For general refuse, a further $194 per year can be paid to a private contractor for the provision of a wheelie bin that is emptied weekly or licensed refuse bags can be purchased for kerbside collection.
Roads outside 23 schools around the district are about to get a whole lot safer.
The council roading team based at the Northland Transportation Alliance office has a large programme of work ahead of it looking at all aspects of safety outside the school gate.
A council spokesman said Mangawhai Beach School has benefitted from having two Variable Speed Limit (VSL) signs installed - reducing the traffic speed from 50km/h to 40km/h during school drop-off and pick-up times.
"The VSL signs have the added benefit of constantly managing traffic speed, by flashing the required limit when vehicles are approaching too fast.
"The VSL units wirelessly communicate information recorded, including speed and traffic volumes; valuable data for council's road engineers for ongoing safety planning and asset management.
"Future enhancements include the installation of railings that direct pedestrians to the Kea crossing, minimising jay walking, and the installation of another pole to support the lollypop sign.
"Otamatea High School is located on a 70km/h road and has VSL signs reducing traffic from 70km/h to 40km/h during the school's busy times. Work is being done on widening the bus parking area to alleviate sightline issues around buses parked up at either end of the school day.
"Te Kopuru School is located on a 50km/h road, the VSL signs are highly beneficial in assisting with improving safety by bringing the speed down from 50km/h to 40km/h during school drop-off and pick-up times. Te Kopuru School will be receiving Kea crossing improvements to ensure safer passage for school children crossing the road to and from school.
"We need to consider a number of factors when identifying improvements and safety inside the school zone – things like road conditions, school type (which links to the age of the children), school roll, average annual daily traffic (AADT's), percentageof heavy vehicles, One Network Road Classification (ONRC), posted speed limits, crash history, the expected number of children on the roadside, the number of vehicles entering and exiting the premises, physical constraints, buses, and other environmental factors" said Dwayne Claassen, council's roading engineer.
"As well as keeping our children safe coming and going from school, the VSL signs remind drivers of the speed limit at all times, supporting positive driver behaviour and increasing overall safety in our communities."
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Police say an investigation had been underway since June 25.