Baby boy drowns in pond
A 1-year-old baby boy has drowned at a property in the Far North. Police and ambulance staff were called to an address near Kaikohe, off Mataraua Rd.
Police were called about 11.40am on Wednesday after the child was found unresponsive in a pond. Senior Sergeant Brian Swann said police went to the scene and were making inquiries. The child's family were being supported by police and Victim Support.
Released on bail
A woman who allegedly helped a man facing a charge of murdering a gang member avoid arrest will reappear in the High Court next week.
No plea was taken when the 21-year-old appeared before a Registrar in the Kaikohe District Court yesterday on one charge of accessory after the fact to murder.
She was granted interim name suppression and released on bail to re-appear in the High Court at Whangarei on April 13. It is alleged the woman, together with Chayce Hayward-Dodd, helped Nicky Bryan Dodd, 41, avoid arrest.
Nicky Dodd is accused of murdering Tribesmen Motorcycle Club member John Henry Harris in October last year.
Forestry report due
A report on the value of the plantation forest industry to the Northland economy will be released in Whangarei on Friday.
The New Zealand Institute of Economic Research has prepared the report to analyse the scope and significance of New Zealand's forestry and logging industry.
The event, Growing Your Future, is hosted by the Forest Owners Association and Farm Forestry Association in conjunction with the Northland Wood Council.
The event is open to all interested parties and will be held at the Distinction Whangarei Hotel and Conference Centre, on Riverside Dr, from 4pm.
Building challenge
Northland apprentices will don their tool belts early on Saturday morning, to compete in the 2017 New Zealand Certified Builders (NZCB) Apprentice Challenge at ITM Bay of Islands.
Record levels of interest from apprentices in participating will see 14 events held simultaneously in different regions across New Zealand.
This year, apprentices will demonstrate their skills by constructing a high-spec outdoor table and bench seating, within a set timeframe.
The challenge at ITM Bay of Islands, 2 Haruru Falls Rd, Paihia, from 8am, is open to the public. Best time to attend is after 1pm, with judging to follow the set finish time of 4.30pm.
The winners of each region will go through to the NZCB Apprentice Challenge final, held at the NZCB annual conference in Auckland, May 26-27.
Judge-alone trial
A woman who allegedly drove while nearly four times over the legal alcohol limit and contravened her zero alcohol licence has elected a judge-alone trial.
Kathleen Hilda Kirkwood, 59, of Raumanga, is facing one charge of driving with an excess breath alcohol level and of breaching her zero alcohol licence, which carries a penalty of three months' jail or a fine of up to $4500.
She is on bail to re-appear for her judge-alone trial on July 25.
Daktory case
One of two people arrested after a self-styled "cannabis club" in Whangarei was busted by police will apply for bail in June.
Brian Thomas Borland, 60, is charged with stealing electricity valued at $19,000 between December 24, 2016, and January 11, 2017, and selling cannabis oil at the Daktory Social Club, a charge that carries a maximum penalty of 14 years in jail.
He also faces charges of allowing premises to be used for growing cannabis, and selling cannabis at the Daktory. He will re-appear in the Whangarei District Court on June 23. Another person, Sarah Gwenneth Gillgren, 28, is facing one charge each of selling cannabis and selling cannabis oil and the pair are jointly charged with cultivating cannabis.