Hawke’s Bay news in brief: Car fire in Napier KFC drive-through

Fire crews attended a small car fire in the Napier KFC carpark on Thursday night.

A small car fire broke out in the drive-through of a KFC restaurant in Napier on Thursday night, prompting emergency services to rush to the scene.

A Fenz spokesperson said two crews from Napier attended a car fire outside a commercial premises in Napier South at around 8.41pm.

“It was a small fire on the engine of a motor vehicle,” a Fenz spokesperson said.

“Crews were all finished just before 9pm. Fire investigators were not called.”

Police confirmed that the fire was extinguished, and the car had been towed.

“No further action required,” a spokesperson said.

A Restaurant Brands (KFC) spokesperson confirmed a customer vehicle visiting the drive-through window unexpectedly caught fire and was dealt with in the car park.

“All staff and customers were evacuated safely and the police and fire service controlled the scene. This was an external fire, and the store will open this morning as usual.”

Car rolls, one arrested after drink-driving crash

One person was arrested in Napier on Thursday morning after a car rolled after crashing into another parked car.

Police attended the incident on Marine Parade near Ocean Spa just before 1am, where a driver was detained for excess breath alcohol and their vehicle was towed.

“No other vehicles were involved in terms of vehicles driving,” a police spokesperson said.

There were also no reports of injuries from the crash site, the spokesperson said.

Wednesday Lotto wins

Two lucky Hawke’s Bay Lotto players will be celebrating after winning $13,261 with Lotto Second Division in Wednesday’s live Lotto draw.

Of the 15 winners across the country, one winner purchased their ticket at Greenmeadows New World in Napier and another at the Unichem Stortford Lodge Pharmacy in Hastings.

New Opening Hours for Ocean Spa

From December 1 Ocean Spa in Napier will be opening earlier in the day.

The facility will still be open seven days a week from Monday to Saturday from 5.30am to 9.30pm, and Sundays and public holidays 7.30am to 9.30pm.

The new hours apply to both the gym and the pool.

Essential upgrades were undertaken after Napier City Council took over the facility in February.

The work included upgrading the electrical systems and plant, repairing and resurfacing the passive pool and spa pool interiors, and improving the floor surfaces for group fitness.

There are new changing rooms with improved facilities for families and others.

Watch out for Chilean Needle Grass

Hawke’s Bay Regional Council is urging landowners to protect their farms by looking out for Chilean Needle Grass and reporting any sightings to council.

Team Lead Biosecurity Matt Short says now is the time Chilean Needle Grass is most visible with the large, purple flowers blooming in November and December.

“Chilean Needle Grass is a nasty pest plant. Once it gets onto land, it moves fast and thrives in dry, hard, hill country areas. The grass is detrimental to productive grassland as it out-competes desirable pastures.”

Chilean Needle Grass has purple flowers that bloom in November and December. Photo / Hawke's Bay Regional Council

He said the species can also create a raft of agricultural and economic issues for the farming community.

To report a sighting, head to hbrc.govt.nz and search #pesthub, or contact the council’s pest plant team on 06 835 9200.

Box of Chocs at Aubyn Live Theatre

A new collaboration between Aubyn Live Theatre and Fours Company will bring Broadway to Hawke’s Bay from this weekend.

Both companies have come together to share talent and resources to create what they hope with be a highly entertaining cabaret called Box of Chocs.

It will be packed full of familiar favourites from some of the greatest Broadway shows across the decades including Mary Poppins, Finding Neverland, Waitress, Something Rotten, Ghost, Jesus Christ Superstar and much much more.

As it’s the season of joy, they’ve added a collection of heartwarming Christmas songs. Tea or coffee and a dessert offering are included in your ticket price to be served during the intermission.

Tickets available at Eventfinda and from the Hastings site.

What: Box of Chocs Where: Aubyn Live Theatre When: November 24 to December 3

Classic cars at the Napier Sound Shell

Classic cars will come to the Napier Sound Shell this weekend.

The NZ Morgan Car Club is hosting its annual meeting and rally in Hawkes Bay from Wednesday November through 22 to Sunday November 26.

Organisers said there will be about 50 people attending along with 27 cars travelling throughout the country to attend.

The cars will be on display for public from 12.30pm to 3pm on Saturday, November 25 at the Sound Shell on Napier’s Marine Parade.