On the first day it was open, almost 50 Hibiscus Coast residents took the opportunity to drive through a Covid-19 Community testing station that was temporarily set up in Silverdale last week. The testing station opened on September 10 and operated...... Read More

Zara Weissenstein is determined to help young adults like her, with a disability, to look and feel better through fashion design. The Matakatia teenager was a sporty student, until her legs began to fail her. Three years ago she went from keen kickboxer...... Read More

A Kiwi-designed electronic wheelchair described as “the closest thing to walking” is making inroads into overseas markets. The Omeo chair is based on Segway technology and uses the body’s own sense of balance to steer – a rider...... Read More

Gone are the days when a simple stick would suffice for walking support. The character cane market now caters to the upwardly-mobile consumer with forward thinking features such as radios and alarms. Ali Express’ outdoors cane has an FM radio...... Read More

This month sees the launch of a new initiative on the Coast to support the area’s young people through mentoring. The programme is a collaboration between two local organisations – Coast Youth Community Trust (CYC) and Youth in Transition...... Read More

Jenny Bartlett, centre, with dozens of aprons she has made for the Parkinson’s Tulip Cream Tea events. Pictured with Sandra Ewing, left, and Trish Collen of the Stitch & Yarn sewing group. When Parkinson’s New Zealand was looking for people...... Read More

Dr Alistair Lane discusses the healing properties of Jointment with Alan Raney, who was among the first to trial the product. An inventor who developed a revolutionary sunscreen from his Snells Beach garage is about to launch a new product to alleviate...... Read More

Jenny Bartlett has been giving her masks away for free from a container  by her mail box in Snells Beach. Mahurangi’s mask makers have been busy filling the demand for the protective covering, which are mandatory on public transport and encouraged...... Read More

Dr Howell says the impact of climate change can be clearly seen in the Warkworth district. More than a decade of pondering climate change and ethical investing has prompted Sandspit thinker Dr Robert Howell to write a book on the subjects. Issues Behind...... Read More

Nabhik Gupta New restrictions on the sale of vaping products in convenience stores has prompted New Zealand’s largest vaping retailer to plan a store in Warkworth, which it claims will help local people quit smoking.   Last month, Parliament...... Read More