Bikes on footpaths ban
Kaikohe police are vowing to get tough on young cyclists riding on the town's footpaths after previous warnings have gone unheeded. Senior Sergeant Arthur McLean said youths riding bikes on the footpath, intimidating and cutting in front of pedestrians, had been an issue for some time - but locals and shopowners had now "had a gutsful". Offenders had been warned repeatedly and told to get off and walk, instructions which some heeded but others did not. As a result police would now start enforcing a council bylaw banning cycling on the footpath. Bicycles would be seized and could later be reclaimed from the Far North District Council.
Family thank searchers
The family of missing Taranaki Outdoor Pursuits and Education Centre instructor Bryce Jourdain - who studied and taught in Whangarei - have thanked all those involved with the search since the Paritutu Rock climbing tragedy.
In a statement released this week, Mr Jourdain's Whangarei-raised wife, Robyn, said she was overwhelmed by the support the family had received from the community. "While we still want Bryce's body home so we can give him his final resting place, we hugely appreciate the rescue efforts of all involved in the search."