Hikoi starts Tuesday
The "Aotearoa is not for sale" hikoi will leave Cape Reinga on Tuesday morning, passing through Kaitaia at 11am and ending the first day at Paatu Marae, Pamapuria. It will resume on Wednesday, passing through Kawakawa at 11am and reaching Whangarei (Te Puna Matauranga Marae) at 3pm. The hikoi is due to reach Wellington on May 5, followed over the next eight days by a rally and concert, a constitutional wananga, demonstrations against deep sea oil drilling, coal mining, welfare reform and privatisation of state assets.
Hui at Ngawha
Te Kotahitanga o nga Hapu Ngapuhi has called a Te Paparahi o Te Raki hui at Ngawha Marae today, starting with a powhiri at 10am. Co-chairman Pita Tipene said the hapu and claimants were busy readying themselves for the coming Waitangi Tribunal Stage 2 hearings, the hui giving them the chance to plan and ordinate their contributions to those hearings. It would also be a chance to report back to the people on a recent meeting with Treaty Negotiations Minister Chris Finlayson regarding the recommended path.
Random attack
Police are looking for two teenagers who allegedly assaulted a 35-year-old Kaitaia man in Watt St about 1am on Saturday. One of the boys allegedly punched the victim in the face, then both kicked him in the head and face as he lay on the ground, leaving him with bruising and a fat lip. The victim declined medical assistance and refused to make a statement or lodge a complaint. The teenagers were described as skinny, Maori, one wearing a black and red check shirt, the other an orange shirt.
Niece injured
A 26-year-old Ahipara woman was admitted to Whangarei Hospital with a deep cut to her head and a knee injury after a two-car crash at Ahipara on Thursday evening. According to police the woman's uncle T-boned her car as he emerged from Kaka St into Takahe St. He was charged with driving with excess alcohol after recording 696 micrograms per litre of breath.
Dithering doesn't count
A 27-year-old Kaitaia man has been charged with receiving a Nissan Pathfinder taken from the Kaitaia Hospital car park on March 26. He had told police he had been offered the vehicle but had not bought it, taking it to his father's North Hokianga address while he thought about it.
Better off cold
A shirtless 17-year-old Kaitaia boy who was arrested at his home on Friday night for breaching bail was apparently feeling the cold, so asked a police officer to fetch a T-shirt from his sleepout. The officer did so, discovering a large cannabis plant in the process. The teenager was charged with possession of cannabis.