A dawn blessing has been carried out and the first sod was turned to make way for the construction of a new mental health and addiction services sub-acute unit on the grounds of Kaitaia Hospital.
"This is a significant development for the Kaitaia community," Northland DHB Mental Health and Addiction services general manager Ian McKenzie said.
"Kaitaia is such a long distance from Whangārei, especially if you're unwell. So being able to provide services for our community closer to home is really exciting."
The detailed design and engineering for the project have been completed, and both resource and building consents have been granted.
"The new sub-acute unit will complement the bed established within Kaitaia Hospital as a further commitment to providing health services that care for our own locally," McKenzie said.
The facility will have six patient bedrooms, two bathrooms, a kitchen and living area, an interview room, a doctor's review room, a staff office and an outdoor covered patio.
Pink Ribbon Breakfast season extended
Northlanders can still host a Pink Ribbon Breakfast this year, after Breast Cancer Foundation NZ's largest annual fundraising campaign -held in May - has been extended to June 17 due to a lack of registrations.
Chief executive Ah-Leen Rayner says the number of Pink Ribbon Breakfasts hosted has been down by one-third this year, representing a drop in income of roughly $600,000.
The charity is desperate to make up the shortfall to ensure its services aren't impacted, and it's urging more people in Northland to host their own Pink Ribbon Breakfast.
For more information and to register to host a Pink Ribbon Breakfast visit www.pinkribbonbreakfast.co.nz
Investigation on assault at WBHS
A violent altercation took place at Whangārei Boys' High School on Wednesday after a non-student went onto school grounds wearing the school's uniform.
In an email to parents, acting principal JT Thomas described the incident as "disturbing for us all". Thomas said the police had been notified and "all parties identified will be followed up by the police and the school as appropriate". Staff were aware footage may be shared on social media, Thomas said. A police spokesperson confirmed they had been made aware of the incident and were investigating. One person was assaulted, police confirmed, but no one was seriously injured.
