An investigation is under way after a 51-year-old Chinese ship worker suffered fatal injuries on an international logging ship while at sea off Northland. He died not long after suffering the injuries. Police were alerted on Thursday evening and the ship arrived at Northport yesterday about 5.30am. The matter has been referred to the coroner. The Transport Accident Investigation Commission is also investigating.
Tourist rescued
A hapless tourist was rescued by a tow truck driver before high tide flooded their vehicle which was stuck on Ninety Mile Beach yesterday. Sergeant Simon Wihongi said the call for help came about midday after the vehicle became stuck about 10km south of the area known as The Bluff. The tow truck operator managed to get the vehicle out.
Te Runanga-A-Iwi O Ngapuhi welcomed its new chief executive with a powhiri yesterday. Supporters gathered today at Kohewhata Marae in Kaikohe to welcome Tony Dowling, the new chief executive, who was appointed in August. Mr Dowling, who was born in Kawakawa, said he is looking forward to the challenges and opportunities ahead. He joins the runanga from Te Wananga o Aotearoa, where he was director of innovation and development.
Cultural festival on
Whangaruru School will be hosting a day filled with kapa haka and good food next week. The Cultural Festival - Whakanuia Tuakiri, will be held on Thursday with a powhiri starting at 9am. Eleven schools around the rohe will be performing kapa haka and there will be hangi, seafood, baking and more to fill your stomach. All funds raised go directly to Whangaruru School and Mokau Kohanga Reo.
Construction on a set of traffic lights at the intersection of Maunu Rd (SH14) and Hospital Rd will start next week, with the site blessed yesterday. The lights near Whangarei Hospital were a result of work over the last two years by Northland DHB, Whangarei District Council and the New Zealand Transport Agency to improve safety at the intersection. Other improvements will include extending the cycle lanes and median. NZTA will start work next week with the upgrade expected to be finished in March next year. Motorists could expect some delays during this period.
Chopper visits
Human wrongs more than human rights are likely to be on the agenda when the dictator of the Republic of Anzakistan holds a rally in Kerikeri next week. Australian comic Heath Franklin - alias Chopper, famed for his tattoos, moustache and sunglasses and criminal persona - has brought the Republic of Anzakistan across the New Zealand and Australian borders, his stage show and television comedy of the same name proving a great hit. Followers will be able to have an audience with the dictator of Anzakistan at Kerikeri's Turner Centre on Tuesday.
Community day
A community day which aims to bring families together to find out more about tertiary education and study options will be held tomorrow. NorthTec's third annual Community Day will host free food and entertainment - including a giant water slide. Staff will provide information, and there will be stalls ranging from blood pressure testing by the nursing department to nail painting by the beauty therapy team. The event is at NorthTec campus on Raumanga Valley Rd from 10am to 1pm tomorrow.