FLYING HIGH - DRONE FILM FESTIVAL

The Drone Film Festival Australia and New Zealand (DFFANZ) is set to soar across Auckland screens later this year; and they want to see New Zealand’s best aerial footage. The best drone film received by DFFANZ will receive the opportunity to shoot their next film in Thailand, with two return flights Australia to Thailand and $1000 spending money. Other prizes include DJI Mavic Pro from Harvey Norman, gear from Henty bags, Blackmagic Design camera equipment and software programs by Lightworks, Cyberlink, Hitfilm and Skytango. Films can be entered at www.filmfreeway.com/festival/ dffanz. Submissions close August 18.

AUCKLAND’S ISLAND RESERVE

Auckland has received its first island regional park. Announced by the Auckland City Council, Browns Bay will be the city’s newest regional park. Friends of Regional Parks applauded the Auckland Council’s decision, saying Browns Island will add to the region’s chain of priceless parks along the coast. The new reserve would open up a number of recreational opportunities such as boating, day walking and camping. There will be opportunities for volunteers to restore the ecology of the island which was ravaged by recent scrub and grass fires.

WESTPAC CHOPPER APPEAL

Aucklanders have helped raise much-needed funds for the Westpac Chopper Appeal. This year the region contributed $275,000 towards the fundraiser. All donations received by the Westpac Chopper Appeal were distributed back to the 16 rescue helicopter services around the country. Westpac’s general manager of marketing Andy Kerr said the total raised was a fantastic effort from the community. ‘‘We’d like to thank everyone who contributed around the country, and to those that gave of their time to organise the wide variety of fundraising events this year.’’ New Zealanders from across the country raised a total of nearly $1.3 million.