Station burgled
The cafe at Kawakawa railway station has been burgled yet again. Entry was gained by smashing a window between 1am and 2am on Saturday. Lollies and drinks were taken.
Greens win mock election
Ash Holwell led the Green Party to victory at the mock election at Whangarei Boys' High School on Monday.
Senior students asked questions of and then "voted" for their preferred Whangarei candidate: Shane Reti, Shane Jones, Ash Holwell, Robin Grieve and, present for only part of the meeting, Tony Savage. The results were Ash Holwell 33.9 per cent (19 votes), Shane Reti 30.3 per cent (17 votes), Shane Jones 19.6 per cent (11 votes) Robin Grieve 12.5 per cent (7 votes), Tony Savage 1.8 per cent (1 vote) and Chris Leitch, who was not even there, 1.8 per cent (1 vote).
No Tai Tokerau/Maori seat candidates could attend but a poll returned Hone Harawira 75 per cent (3 votes), Godfrey Rudolph 25 per cent (1 vote), Kelvin Davis no votes. The next mock election is at Tauraroa Area School on Thursday, 2.10pm-3.10pm, with an invitation to the wider community to attend.
Ferry back on the water
A freshly painted Hokianga vehicle ferry is back in service after going into dry dock for a hull repaint and Maritime New Zealand survey. The vehicle ferry was replaced by a passenger-only vessel for two weeks while the work was carried out.
The council received no complaints about the reduced service, which it attributed to a communication campaign that included emails to community organisations, newspaper and social media advertising, road signs signs put up at eight strategic points and messages on NZTA electronic billboards.