Print firm at fault
A printing company has taken responsibility for a voting paper bungle which has seen two voters in the Denby ward receive multiple papers. Managing director Simon Ellis of PMP Print — the print and mailing provider to Election Services — said an error in their processes had resulted in two records being duplicated, with two voters subsequently receiving up to 50 documents each.
A Tikipunga woman got 39 voting papers in the mail this week. It would not affect the election outcome as Election Services computer systems only allow for one vote per voter to be accepted. Any duplicate voting is rejected. "PMP apologises for the error and is subsequently reviewing internal processes," Mr Ellis said.
Arrest after brawl
A man has been arrested after a punch-up involving a group of men on Monday. Kaitaia police said the fracas happened in Commerce St about 4pm and involved a group of mainly young men. A 29-year-old man was arrested and charged with disorder while another man was taken home by police.
Elderly crash victim dies
An 89-year-old Northland man has died in hospital 11 days after a serious crash near Kerikeri. Police confirmed the man died in hospital on Sunday. The fatality takes Northland's road toll to 32.
On November 8 the man was driving a vehicle that crashed on SH10 about 10am. He was assessed as being in a critical condition by a passing off-duty paramedic and was taken by ambulance to Kerikeri Sports Complex, then flown to Whangarei Hospital by the Northland Rescue Helicopter.
The other driver, a 67-year-old Kerikeri man, was taken to Bay of Islands Hospital but discharged later in the day.
Thieves target foodstore
Thieves allegedly threatened a shop attendant in the Omapere Foodmart with a knife before making off with cash and tobacco. Police continued to investigate the aggravated robbery at the Hokianga business after it was reported two teenagers went there about 6.15pm on Tuesday. Police arrested a 14-year-old male on the night but are continuing to search for a second person.
Byelection battle begins
Nominations open tomorrowin a Far North District Council byelection triggered by former councillor Willow-Jean Prime's election to Parliament. Candidates have until December 22 to get their nominations in. The postal ballot will run from January 26 to February 17, when the results will be announced.
All 19,200 enrolled voters in the Bay of Islands-Whangaroa ward will be eligible to vote. Mrs Prime placed third in the Northland electorate after Matt King (National) and Winston Peters (NZ First) but her high Labour list placing earned her a seat in Parliament. She was a year into her second term as a councillor.