Nathan Haines, the innovative saxophonist and producer renowned for seamlessly blending jazz and dance music with his albums ‘Squire For Hire’ and ‘Sound Travels’, is coming to Leigh Sawmill with a club set that will have the dance floor pumping!

Transcending far beyond a simple trail, we sat down with Meg Eriksen, Fundraising and Marketing Manager for The Matakana Coast Trail Trust, to give us an update on where things stand for this ambitious and inspiring project.

In the heart of an old vineyard and farm, there exists a place where children's dreams take root, where the curious spirit roams free, and where the boundless wonders of nature become the canvas for learning.

Long standing readers of Junction may remember a feature on Harthouse Cabins which were being built in Mangawhai Heads, back in 2017. After building these cabins for other people, Cliff and Angela decided to keep a couple for themselves to offer the experience of staying in them on their property; and thus Harthouse Haven was created.

When you hear ‘giant skateboard’ you no doubt think of something fairly large, but think bigger again and you’ll be getting closer to the 12 metre long behemoth that is currently undergoing refurbishment before being installed as a permanent sculpture at the Mangawhai Activity Zone (MAZ) skate park.

This Summer, Dire Straits Legacy bring back their iconic music, performed by the original musicians who recorded and toured with Dire Straits from over 30 years ago, and who have performed live as Dire Straits on multiple global tours.

If you’ve been to the Vintry or Matakana Farmers’ Market any time in the last ten years, you’ve probably heard local jazz ensemble, Latakana. While the group has gone their separate ways for now, long time member, Chris James, has put together a new combo called Latter Karma.

Celebrating 14 years of showing visitors the beauty of the Mahurangi region, and a little beyond, Warkworth Walks is on the march again from 10-12 November, with a wide and varied choice of some of the best walks out there.

Grant Birley is an amateur astro-photographer, and whilst the rest of the country are tucked up in bed, he is out chasing and capturing bioluminescence. Born in South Africa but calling New Zealand home for the last 18 years, his nightly adventures take him up and down the upper north island where he says the best spots can be found. Here he recounts some of his adventures.

There’s a terrific day trip for Hibiscus Coast boaties that will take you to a cove with more shipwrecks than you can shake a rudder at.

Ra Gossage (Ngati Wai & Ngati Ruahine) has been singing her own songs since the age of 19, and performing since her mid-twenties. Her first performance was at Leigh Sawmill in 2007 and she was back there this April, supporting local favourites White Chapel Jak to a very appreciative, sold-out crowd.

Rings On Water is the much-awaited sequel to Blood on Vines, by author Madeleine Eskedahl, who says her local area is where she draws inspiration from.

The first in a series of shipwrecks and shenanigans along our rugged shores; we begin with an explanation of possibly the world’s most unusual yacht club burgee.

A bigger and better research vessel at the Goat Island Marine Laboratory will expand and support new and ongoing projects.

Sarah Larnach is a New Zealand artist whose work will evoke feelings of nostalgia, especially if you like your beer and music with a twist of 1980s vintage.

Bubbles are just a small part of what inspires local artist and designer, Ruby Watson, who seamlessly juggles parenting with a varied and ever-evolving career.

Sally is a mixed-medium artist and has been involved in various art groups and exhibitions across New Zealand and internationally, most recently in Tauranga and Waihi Beach. Sally has been involved in art as a practising artist and teacher for over 25 years. Her interest in exhibiting her pieces and nurturing her talent grew when on a six-year relocation with her family to Canada, and what started as a way to meet people and endure the long Canadian winters soon grew into a passion.