Latest news with #AnnaValentine
RNZ News
2 days ago
- General
- RNZ News
Ten years of boiling water in Kāeo: 'They just can't rely on the water'
Kāeo chef Anna Valentine demonstrates the rigmarole involved in getting drinkable water. Photo: RNZ / Peter de Graaf It has been 10 years since residents in the small Far North town of Kāeo were placed under a boil-water notice - but it is not a milestone anyone is celebrating. Chef and cooking teacher Anna Valentine, who lives on Kāeo's main street, is among those affected. She said she had never been able to drink from the tap, and at times she could not even use the water for laundry. "I wasn't able to do my washing without it turning brown, basically. And every now and then it would just be super-brown, and then it would get clearer, and sometimes it would go off, and we wouldn't know, so we'd be out of water and we'd be calling up to see what happened. It's just been a roller coaster." Valentine said the colour of the water had improved in recent years, but it was still no good for drinking. In July 2015, Northland's Medical Officer of Health issued a boil-water notice due to levels of E. coli bacteria found in the water. That notice had never been lifted. Kāeo Water supplies just under 30 customers - a mix of homes, businesses and public facilities such as the toilets and community hall - on State Highway 10, the town's main street. Rather than face the cost of constantly boiling water, the Valentines have rigged up a tank for catching rainwater and every day they use it to fill up bottles for drinking water. Valentine said she had organised public meetings and lobbied the council in the past, but little had changed. "The water needs to be drinkable out of the tap, for the kids that go to the community hall, and the people coming through town. They don't know that it's not drinkable. The businesses in town, a lot of them have installed their own rainwater tanks because they just can't rely on the water." Kāeo chef Anna Valentine says her children have never known what it's like to drink out of a tap. Photo: RNZ / Peter de Graaf Until the year 2000 Kāeo's water supply was owned by the Far North District Council. The council sold it to Doubtless Bay Water, which quit in 2008, saying it was not economically viable. It was then taken on by Wai Care Environmental Consultants. Kāeo Water operator Bryce Aldridge said it was difficult keeping up with ever-changing drinking water standards, especially for a small scheme like Kāeo's. "And the government's not assisting with the upgrading that's needed to meet those standards, because of the size of plant that we are." Aldridge said he had never put up the price of water, and only a small minority complained about the quality. "It's actually only one client … I have spoken to the other clients, and this is their fear [if the system is upgraded]: the water price going up, and the battle of having to put fluoride in our water, so a boil water notice actually protects us there." The Ministry of Health has recently ordered the Far North District Council to add fluoride to its Kerikeri and Kaitāia town water supplies, but a spokesperson told RNZ the ministry did not order fluoridation of privately-owned water supplies. Aldridge said the discolouration was caused by iron and manganese naturally present in the source water from the Waikara Stream. Removing iron and manganese completely was difficult and required multiple treatment stages. He said the next step for the water scheme would be to move the plant to a new location, and introduce UV treatment. He told RNZ he had secured a new location just last week, but that had yet to be confirmed. Kāeo's private water treatment plant, on School Gully Road, draws from the Waikara Stream. Photo: RNZ / Peter de Graaf Aldridge said he welcomed media scrutiny because it had caught the attention of Taumata Arowai, the national water authority, and had bumped Kāeo's water supply up its priority list. Taumata Arowai head of operations Steve Taylor said even a small private drinking water supply such as Kāeo's had to meet the requirements of the Water Services Act 2021 and other rules. The authority had sent a letter outlining its expectations in March, but a meeting scheduled that month had been cancelled by the supplier. Expectations included boil-water notice communication with consumers, and providing a confirmed, funded plan for achieving compliance with legal requirements. Taylor said those expectations had not yet been met. The authority had set a new date of 23 July for meeting the supplier and inspecting the plant. Taylor said boil water notices were only meant to be a temporary solution, because over time people could forget and risked drinking contaminated water. The authority could take action if it believed a supplier was not responding adequately to concerns about unsafe drinking water or failed persistently to comply with legal requirements. That could include requiring the local authority, in this case the Far North District Council, to take over the supply. All Kāeo Water's customers are based on the Far North town's main street. Photo: RNZ/Peter de Graaf Te Rūnanga o Whaingaroa pou arahi, or cultural manager, Raniera Kaio said the scheme had suffered from buck-passing between the council and the operator as to who was responsible. He believed the only way to fix it was by the council, the operator and iwi working together. "My personal opinion, indeed my professional opinion, is that the operator lacks the resources to fix it. Lacks the resources to fix it alone . It has to be a collaborative solution." Kaio said the water plant had been inundated in the 2007 floods and never fully recovered. The boil-water notice also had a financial effect on the rūnanga, which spent $300-$400 a month on bottled water for staff and manuhiri [visitors]. He said Kāeo's water woes were emblematic of the neglect suffered by many rural, Māori-majority towns. The effects went well beyond the cost and inconvenience of having to boil water or buy it by the bottle. "It's about the dignity of Kāeo, the mana of Kāeo. And whānau in Kāeo have lived with daily anxiety around whether their water is safe to drink, that really affects not only your health, your hauora [wellbeing], but it sort of affects your own self-worth and your identity as being from Kāeo." However, Kaio said he was buoyed by news that Taumata Arowai was about to meet the operator, and hopeful a solution could be found. Meanwhile, Anna Valentine just hoped one day soon her children would be able to drink water out of the tap. "I mean, we live in New Zealand, but it feels like we're in a bit of a third world country up here in Kāeo, having to go out every day and fill our plastic bottles from a water container that we collect off the roof. It's just crazy, actually." Kāeo's boil-water notice is not the longest-running one in the country. A 2024 Drinking Water Regulation Report stated 74 long-term "consumer advisories" - which include boil-water notices - were in place at the end of last year, and 20 council supplies serving a total of 7000 people had advisories in place for three or more years. "The persistence of long-term consumer advisories represents a significant regulatory and public health challenge," the report stated. Sign up for Ngā Pitopito Kōrero , a daily newsletter curated by our editors and delivered straight to your inbox every weekday.
Daily Mail
5 days ago
- Entertainment
- Daily Mail
Queen Camilla's best fashion moments and where to find them on the high street, from her go-to floral dresses to chic pastel coats - as the royal celebrates her 78th birthday
Daily Mail journalists select and curate the products that feature on our site. If you make a purchase via links on this page we will earn commission - learn more To celebrate Queen Camilla 's birthday, we're shining a spotlight her most elegant fashion moments - from the tropical print dress featured in her latest portrait to the sophisticated white coat dress worn for the 80th anniversary of VE Day. Since becoming Queen, Camilla has come into her own sartorially. Her signature style blends timeless tailoring with luxurious finishing touches - think designer handbags, Chanel heels and eye-catching Van Cleef & Arpels jewellery. And the best part? You don't need a royal budget to channel her look. We've created a high street edit so you can effortlessly recreate each outfit. Tropical print dress In her official birthday portrait released yesterday, Camilla wore a tropical print shirt dress by her longtime designer, Fiona Clare. Captured by royal photographer Chris Jackson, the image was taken earlier this month at Ray Mill, her private Wiltshire residence. Beaming in the photo, Camilla dons a mid-length dress adorned with birds and palm tree motifs in vivid blues and greens - an effortlessly summery choice. White dress with contrast stitching For the Thanksgiving Service commemorating the 80th anniversary of VE Day at Westminster Abbey, Camilla chose a pristine white coat dress by Anna Valentine. She accessorised with a Philip Treacy hat and Eliot Zed shoes. The standout feature? Black blanket stitching, adding a graphic twist to the classic design. The look offered a contemporary edge - demonstrating that Camilla's style is both polished and on point. Blue figure-skimming dress During a visit to HMNB Devonport in Plymouth, Camilla chose a striking cobalt blue Fiona Clare dress. The flattering silhouette featured soft puffed shoulders, embroidered detailing on the bib, and a signature front zip. She teamed the dress with nude Chanel pumps and a raffia clutch by Anya Hindmarch. Pastel pink coat dress On a recent tour of Canada, Camilla embraced soft hues in a pastel pink coat dress by Anna Valentine, first seen at the Duke and Duchess of Sussex's wedding. She once again wore her trusted Chanel heels, reinforcing her preference for timeless pieces. While Barbie pink stole the spotlight in summer 2023, this season is all about softer shades like powder pink - captured in Camilla's refined ensemble.
Yahoo
08-07-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
Queen Camilla Opts for Emerald Green in Anna Valentine Dress, Brigitte Macron Goes Crisp White for French State Visit to the U.K.
Queen Camilla turned to one of her go-to designers, Anna Valentine, for her attire at the arrival of France's President Emmanuel Macron and First Lady Brigitte Macron on Tuesday in Windsor, England. The U.K.'s queen consort wore a nearly complete monochrome look, while Brigitte Macron went for a classic crisp white dress with gold accents. Queen Camilla styled an Anna Valentine emerald green midi dress with three-quarter-length sleeves, a rounded neckline and slightly flared skirt with soft pleats. The Anna Valentine design coordinated with Queen Camilla's hat, designed by Philip Treacy. More from WWD Queen Camilla Brings Back Signature Florals in Fiona Clare During Visit to Scotland With King Charles III Kate Middleton Pairs Earth Tones in Ralph Lauren and Blazé Milano for Hospital Visit in Colchester Princess Diana's Birthday Looks Through the Years: Her Sleek Black Jacques Azagury Dress, Vibrant Colors and More The wife of King Charles III opted for taupe suede and leather toe cap pumps by Eliot Zed. To further accessorize her look, the queen consort wore pearl earrings and her four strand pearl choker with diamond clasp. She also added Queen Mary's Emerald and Diamond Celtic Knot Brooch, part of the late Queen Elizabeth II's jewelry collection. Macron wore a tailored white midi dress with long sleeves and buttons on the side placket for an asymmetrical element to the overall look. The dress featured a cinched waist with gold accents to add pops of contrasting color to the ensemble. She also carried a gold clutch and accessorized her attire with metallic pieces. In the past, however, Macron and Queen Camilla have made joint public appearances in which their respective styles complemented each other. For the Entente Littéraire Prize Award Ceremony last December, Queen Camilla and Brigitte Macron coordinated in complementary colorways. Macron wore a coatdress in a subdued shade of cornflower blue, while the queen consort opted for a gray midi dress and blazer. The Macrons' visit to the U.K. marks the first state visit made by France in 17 years. The couple will stay at Windsor Castle, hosted by King Charles III and Queen Camilla, and a banquet will be held there in their honor. View Gallery Launch Gallery: Brigitte Macron's Style Through the Years [PHOTOS] Best of WWD A Look Back at Fourth of July Celebrations at the White House Princess Diana's Birthday Looks Through the Years: Her Sleek Black Jacques Azagury Dress, Vibrant Colors and More Lauren Sánchez's Fashion Evolution Through the Years: From Her Days as TV News Anchor to Today
Daily Mail
20-06-2025
- Entertainment
- Daily Mail
Queen Camilla's show-stopping Ascot look proves every wardrobe needs a white summer dress and matching bag - here's where to shop the trend
Queen Camilla embraced head-to-toe white on the penultimate day of Royal Ascot. With temperatures climbing, white remains the smartest way to stay cool and polished, especially for a formal occasion. Take your cue from Camilla, who opted for a breezy chiffon dress by Anna Valentine. The flattering fit-and-flare silhouette was elevated with delicate floral lace detailing, while subtle panelling added interest without tipping into overly fussy. She finished the look with a wide-brimmed Philip Treacy hat - ideal for sun protection - a Lady Dior bag and classic court shoes. Feeling inspired? Scroll down to shop our edit of white summer dresses - with a hint of lace. And if you're in the mood to splurge, you can get your hands on Camilla's exact designer handbag. Don't say we didn't tempt you. EXACT MATCH: Small Lady Dior My ABCDior Bag Shop the trend Dresses Izabel London Lace Trim Midi Dress £60 Shop French Connection Broderie Anglaise Tiered Dress £42 Shop Hobbs Selset Dress £107.10 Shop Aspiga Nyla Beach Kaftan £140 Shop Rixo Edina Embroidered Dress £280 Shop Asos Design Shirt Dress With Lace Hem £45 Shop Florere Lace Trim Midi Dress £248 Shop Sezane Clarissette Dress £170 Shop
Yahoo
16-06-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
Queen Camilla's Regal White Dress Reigns at Trooping the Colour
"Hearst Magazines and Yahoo may earn commission or revenue on some items through these links." For the 2025 Trooping the Colour—the annual celebration of the monarch's official birthday—Queen Camilla embraced timeless elegance. In honor of this year's festivities, the royal opted for an understated ensemble and donned a white silk crepe midi dress embroidered with silver detailing by Anna Valentine. Of course, if there's one thing you can count on the royals to deliver every time, it's a good headpiece. The look was completed with a custom slanted-brim hat by milliner Philip Treacy. She further accessorized with a white clutch and a pair of beige pointed-toe pumps that subtly broke from the otherwise tonal ensemble. Her ensemble's most sentimental element came in the form of a Grenadier Guards brooch—a design incorporating the Royal Cypher beneath a crown and encircled by a blue garter bearing the Order of the Garter's motto: 'Honi soit qui mal y pense,' or 'Shame on he who thinks ill of it.' While her palette remained restrained, other royal family members decided to lean into color. Notably, Princess Charlotte and Kate Middleton made a striking statement in coordinated mother-daughter aquamarine looks. Camilla arrived at this year's event alongside King Charles in a carriage rather than horseback, a change made for a second year amid his ongoing cancer treatment. The two later joined the rest of the senior members of the royal family on the balcony of Buckingham Palace for the traditional military flypast. Though the sitting monarch's birthday actually falls in November, the summer ceremony has long served as the monarch's official birthday celebration. You Might Also Like 4 Investment-Worthy Skincare Finds From Sephora The 17 Best Retinol Creams Worth Adding to Your Skin Care Routine
