$120k grant for toilet block
The Far North District Council has got $120,000 from the new Regional Mid-sized Tourism Facilities Grant Fund to build a new toilet block in Broadwood. The toilet block was among 14 tourism infrastructure projects around the country which will receive a total of $3.05 million in government co-funding support. Applicants were required to demonstrate demand for the proposed infrastructure and what priority they were placing on the project based on co-funding criteria designed to ensure the funding would go to those communities most in need of support.
Woman accused of aiding fugitive
A woman has been charged in relation to helping fugitive Joshua Kite avoid arrest.
Stevie-Zoe Pook, 25, of Manurewa appeared in the Whangarei District Court on one charge of committing burglary with a weapon and using a firearm against a law enforcement officer. She allegedly helped Kite avoid arrest in late August after he is alleged to have fired at two police officers in Whangarei, before stealing their patrol car. The hunt for Kite saw Maungaturoto, Kaiwaka and Mangawhai all locked down by armed police. He was arrested in Manurewa on September 1. Zoe-Pook will re-appear on November 21.
Crash disrupts traffic
Traffic travelling north through Kawakawa was diverted after a crash involving a truck and a car yesterday. Inspector Al Symonds said emergency services were called to the main road of Kawakawa about 1.50pm. He said northbound traffic was diverted through Vogel St while southbound traffic was able to travel through the main road. No one was injured.
Kapa haka showdown
Months spent practising the haka and perfecting the poi will culminate in a day's worth of performances at this weekend's Te Tai Tokerau Primary and Intermediate Kapa Haka Regionals. Sixteen groups from Northland primary and intermediate schools have spent the year preparing for the competition which will be held at Kaitaia's Te Kura Kaupapa Maori o Te Rangi Aniwaniwa tomorrow. The groups who place in the top six at the regional competition, which has been running for more than 30 years, will compete at the biennial National Primary and Intermediate Kapa Haka in Gisborne next year. The event will be held from 9am to about 5pm.