Nikora has been with Kaipara District Council for six years and continues to develop and work on growing the upskilling and learning of the Northland Building Control Authorities.
Fran Mikulicic, general manager of regulatory, planning and policy said: "This is a fantastic achievement.
"The hard work, innovative enhancement of our systems, customer service ethos and dedication to building within Kaipara and New Zealand is worthy of these acknowledgements.
"The building team at Kaipara District Council also won a national local government award in 2015 for transforming service delivery.
"This was a result following a major overhaul of our processes and the implementation of online lodging, processing and inspections software.
"This not only allowed us to serve our customers better, it also enhanced quality, and lifted our efficiency. It has been a privilege to be a part of Kaipara's recovery story," Mikulicic said.
The awards were announced at the Annual BOINZ Conference and Expo (Building Officials Institute of New Zealand) this month.
Spoelstra attends School to Skies
Ruawai College student Harriet Spoelstra spent eight days at the New Zealand Air Force base in Ohakea for a School to Skies course during the holidays. Here she discusses her adventure in the skies. The course is a tech and aviation camp that gives girls in Year 13 a chance to experience careers in the forces.
I met many new people and spent the week with 47 like-minded girls in Year 13 from all over the country interested in science, aviation, tech and engineering.
The air force is made up of 17 per cent women and is wanting to be 25 per cent by 2025. New Zealand needs more women in STEM careers and this course was extremely helpful even if we choose not to join the air force.
The week offered plenty of hands-on mechanical and electrical learning which involved helping dismantle and repair an old training helicopter.
Over the week I also got to visit safety and surface, machining/welding/skin, avionics and force protection, where we did a navigation exercise in which we rescued an injured pilot from an enemy base with the use of smoke grenades and camouflage paint.
We also took part in PT sessions and planned a rescue mission. A highlight was flying in an NH90 helicopter after planning a rescue mission, especially when the doors were open and we flew over the beach, as well as flying the NH90 in the simulator.
The busy week ended with an Anzac Day parade at dawn in the nearby town of Bulls. I had a great experience and it showed me possibilities for my future that I hadn't considered.
I really recommend this course and encourage you to take every opportunity that arises.
Don't be afraid to follow a passion that those around you may not share. Do what you love and just give it a try even, or especially, if you don't yet know what your passion is.
If anyone is interested register your interest for the next School to Skies programme at http://rnzaf.schooltoskies.co.nz/info/
■ Email Rose — if you have news that you would like to share with Northern Advocate readers. Rose.stirling@gmail.com.
