RUBBISH EMBARRASSING

After recently returning from a holiday in Europe I have been horrified by the amount of rubbish I’ve seen along some of our main roads.

Driving from Auckland to Kerikeri I saw more roadside litter than I saw over many weeks travelling in Austria, Switzerland, France, Italy and UK.

Kerikeri is pretty awful too. A walk along Waimate North Rd and Waipapa Rd is an embarrassing eye-opener and makes a lie of the ‘clean green image’ we broadcast to the rest of the world.

It is left up to the few good sorts who have some pride in our little town to walk the streets with a stick and a sack. The council could, if they wanted, embark on a regular patrol to tidy up the verges of these main roads. Regarding the ever increasing traffic congestion in central Kerikeri, the problem is caused by the fact that every road is a dead end street with the exception of Hone Heke Rd and Hobson Ave.

This results in all vehicle movements, including heavy trucks, having to grind through the town centre to go anywhere. Far North District Council has over the years invited submissions from the public to voice any concerns, which I have done on two occasions.

The obvious solution to the problem is to join up the ends of some of the dead end streets with adjacent roads so as to divert some of the traffic away from the town centre.

Of course, some people living in those streets will object, but we all should accept that which is best for the greater good. Once again, Northland has come out in droves to show their support for the Cancer Society on Daffodil Day. Northland raised $126,000, the largest amount on record.

It was my first Daffodil Day as the new manager, and observing and participating in the huge production was mind blowing and very humbling.

From colourful street appeals led by community volunteers, to events such as the fundraising breakfasts, lunches and dinners, to golf tournaments, to school competitions - it is an amazing community event contributed to by all corners of our rural areas, towns, and city through citizens