New Zealand will need to make major advances in large-scale predator management to stop and reverse forest bird declines.

You will notice the weekly column from the Tararua District mayor has disappeared. This is to ensure fair play in the lead up to the local council elections and is in accordance with the Local Electoral Act 2001.

In mid-February this year, the government announced the Review of Vocational Education (RoVE). The proposal to merge New Zealand’s Institutes of Technology and Polytechnics into a single national body has caused some uncertainty amongst students, employers and our communities.

Eastern Police are reminding trampers and walkers to prepare before heading out this winter.

Whether it’s a multi-day tramp or a day-walk, people are urged to plan their trips, prepare for all conditions, and properly equip themselves before setting off.

The second week of the school holidays has a real variety of weather, mostly dominated by a windy westerly flow. NZ has a number of cold fronts coming this week with bursts of rain, strong winds, snow on the mountains and often drier and sunnier to the east.

The epic 12,000km journey made by some of New Zealand’s favourite migratory birds from the Coromandel to the Arctic is set to become safer.

Emergency services are responding to a crash involving a car and a bus in Wairau Valley, Auckland.

The collision occurred near the intersection of Target Road and Wairau Road about 6.30am.

Initial reports indicate one person is trapped.

Police can confirm one person has died following the serious crash on State Highway 1 near Oakleigh.

One person has serious injuries, while another has moderate injuries.

The road is expected to remain closed for some time.

The Serious Crash Unit will examine the scene.

Canterbury firearms owners have handed in a total of 542 prohibited firearms this weekend at local collection events held at Riccarton Racecourse.

Sunday’s local collection event surpassed Saturday’s attendance with 200 firearms owners processed.

Emergency services are at the scene of a serious crash on State Highway 1, near Oakleigh, Northland.

Police were called about 4.50pm.

Initial indications are there have been serious injuries.

The road is closed with diversions in place.