Police had to be called to a rural property south of Kawakawa when a man burning rubbish despite the fire ban took exception to the arrival of firefighters. The Towai Rural Fire Party and Hikurangi Fire Brigade were called to Matawaia-Maromaku Rd at 11.20am yesterday but were forced to withdraw to a safe distance by the fire-starter's alleged aggressive behaviour. He also continued to feed the unpermitted fire with rubbish. Firefighters were able to extinguish the blaze after the man had been spoken to by Kawakawa police. Northern principal fire officer Myles Taylor said the man would be invoiced for the costs of the callout.
Risky blaze extinguished
The Kaeo Fire Brigade did a good job of containing a risky blaze at Matauri Bay Rd yesterday, Northern principal fire officer Myles Taylor said. It had spread from a home-built incinerator into grass and then into scrub. Two helicopters were dispatched because the fire was in a dangerous area, at the bottom of the hill with houses at the top and a lot of dry scrub. The choppers were stood down once the brigade had the fire under control.The Taupo Bay Rural Fire Party took over mopping from the Kaeo volunteers.
Party celebrates registration
Focus New Zealand is celebrating its registration as a political party with a launch party at the Kaikohe RSA at 6pm this evening. The party says it is a minnow on the political scene but believes it can win traction with central government and give a voice to provincial and rural New Zealand. The launch venue and entertainment had been chosen to reflect reality for rural New Zealand.