Marlin video sparks anger
A huge marlin caught off the coast of Northland last week has been captured in a video that's now been viewed nearly 4000 times. A.J. Heijns captured the group loading the massive marlin into a van. It weighed nearly 350kg and took about three hours to catch.
The video prompted angry responses from people on Heijns' Facebook page - one of whom knew the group. "I come from a fishing family and have a marine degree but I still agree it's not worth keeping," the person said. "Protection of reproductively viable adults is crucial for the conservation and protection of the fisheries and species."
Man held after food stolen
A 20-year-old man has been arrested after allegedly stealing food from a campground kitchen at Matauri Bay. The local man was identified on CCTV going into the kitchen on Wednesday and helping himself to food stored by campers. He will appear in the Kaikohe District Court.
Raids on dairies fail
Would-be thieves tried to break in to dairies in Kerikeri and Kawakawa an hour apart yesterday. In both cases glass door panels were broken but the offenders were unable to get in and left empty-handed. The incidents occurred between 2.30 and 3.30am on Thursday.
Hunter's car stolen
A hunter who parked his car near the war memorial at Ruawai had to find alternative transport home after thieves stole his car. Police say the man parked the 2005 Subaru Legacy station wagon, coloured grey, about 11.30pm on Thursday and then ventured into nearby bush. When he returned it was gone. Two cars, one in Second Av in Whangarei and the other in One Tree Point, were broken to overnight on Thursday. A group of youths were scared off and took nothing from the vehicle parked on the side of the road in Second Ave but a handbag was taken from the other.
Liner's arrival closes road
The one-way section of Williams Rd in Paihia will be closed to traffic from 7am to 6pm on January 12 when the 4900-passenger Ovation of the Seas is due in the Bay of Islands. Only emergency vehicles will be exempt. Volunteers from Paihia's Ambassadors scheme will be on duty at the pedestrian crossing between Williams Rd and the Paihia waterfront to ensure traffic is able to flow on Marsden Rd. The $1.5 billion Ovation of the Seas will be the biggest cruise ship to visit Northland.
Funeral for boat victim
The Kerikeri great-grandmother who died after falling from a boat in the Bay of Islands will be farewelled in Albany on Monday. Eileen Massey, 75, was on a boat with her husband Bob in Orokawa Bay, near Rawhiti, on January 2 when it is believed she fell from the stern while fishing. Her husband had gone below deck to rest. She was found by friends who were in another boat anchored nearby about 9pm. Mrs Massey had three children, seven grandchildren and one great-grandchild. She is also survived by a twin and three other sisters. Her funeral will be held at the North Harbour Chapel of Dil's, Schnapper Rock Rd, Albany, at 1pm on Monday.
Angry ATM man identified
Police have identified the man who threw a tantrum outside the BNZ in Kaitaia on Wednesday afternoon, after the ATM swallowed his cash card. The bank was closed and staff would not open the door, the man punching it hard enough to smash the glass before offering some abuse and walking off. His entire performance was captured on CCTV.
Far North fires keep crews busy
Fires continue to plague the Far North despite the declaration of a total fire ban on Thursday. About 4pm firefighters from Ahipara, Broadwood and Kaitaia, backed up by a helicopter using a monsoon bucket, responded to a fire in a remote location on the south side of the Herekino Harbour. The blaze, which was suspicious, started near the shore and spread through about 600m x 15m of long grass. Yesterday's fires included one of about 200sq m in scrub at Valencia Lane near Kerikeri. It was extinguished by the Kerikeri Fire Brigade. The cause was not known at edition time yesterday.