Kelvin Davis second on list
Te Tai Tokerau MP and Labour Deputy Leader Kelvin Davis has been placed second on the Party's list for the September election.
Labour has released its revised list ahead of September's election, moving new party leader Jacinda Ardern to top spot, with her predecessor Andrew Little dropping to third on the list.
Mr Davis takes the traditional number two spot, per the party's constitutional requirements. He had been left off the initial as part of a deal with the Maori electorate MPs and candidates to allow them to focus on the electorate vote. As a result everyone on the original list moves down one place.
Vessel razed
The Mangonui Fire Brigade was called out in an unsuccessful bid to save someone's pride and joy from sinking on Monday night. Police alerted the brigade about 5pm to a 43-foot (13m) launch which had taken on a large amount of water.
Fire chief Ant Pedersen said a boat from Far North Radio and Sea Rescue ferried firefighters to the stricken vessel, who tried to pump it out for an hour and a half in the dark and rain using portable pumps.
They eventually managed to raft the launch to the rescue boat and get it closer to shore but, as it was low tide, they were unable to get it far before it hit bottom. By yesterday morning, when a salvage attempt by the owner got underway, only the bow was still above water.
Youth speak politics
Young Talks is a series of meetings where student leaders from high schools around Whangarei will air their thoughts on political issues as part of the build-up to the September general election.
Organised by the Green Party, Whangarei candidate Ash Holwell will be among speakers at the talks. The first of the Young Talks was held last night (Tuesday) at Manaia Health with speakers from Whangarei Girls' and Whangarei Boys' High Schools, I Have a Dream, Te Matarau Education Trust, Whangārei Youth Space and Manaia PHO.
Power cuts online
Far North lines company Top Energy has launched an "outage centre" on its website with an interactive map displaying updates on power cuts. The map shows areas were power is out, or where outages are planned, with expected restoration times.
Customers can also subscribe to receive outage notifications, by text or email, specifically for their property, simply by entering the 15-character ICP number on their power bill.
Chief executive Russell Shaw said the new outage centre was another option for people seeking the latest information, and helped prevent call queuing during peak call times such as storms. Go to www.topenergy.co.nz for more information.
Driver escapes injury
Emergency services were called to isolated Nukutawhiti, on Mangakahia Rd just south of Twin Bridges, after a car smashed into a one-way bridge about 12.15pm on Tuesday. Kaikohe's deputy fire chief, Wiremu Matene, said the car was extensively damaged but the driver and sole occupant was uninjured thanks to air bags and the fact he was wearing a seat belt. The man said a tyre blowout had caused the crash. Firefighters were also dispatched from Whangarei but were stood down before they reached the scene.
Candidates meeting
The Upper Northland PPTA has organised a meet the candidates event at Kaikohe Memorial Hall from 6.30pm on August 24.
Confirmed to attend so far are Winston Peters, NZ First, standing in Northland electorate), Kelvin Davis (Labour, Te Tai Tokerau), Hone Harawira (MANA, Te Tai Tokerau), Matt King (Northland) Hinurewa Te Hau (Maori Party representative), Catherine Delahunty (Green Party representative).
Daffodil day next week
The Cancer Society's annual flagship event Daffodil Day - one of the most iconic fundraising and cancer awareness events in New Zealand - is on next week. A range of events will be held around Northland to raise money for the Cancer Society on Friday, August 25.
A Daffodil Festival will be held in the Cameron Street Mall from 11am to 3pm and will feature performers and dancers and more. Meanwhile more events will be held around the Far North and will include street appeals in Kawakawa, Russell, Paihia, Opua. For more information what's happening and where visit www.daffodilday.org.nz.