Kitten recovers well
The kitten rescued from a stormwater drain in Kerikeri on Wednesday after a five-hour team effort has made a full recovery. Bay of Islands SPCA manager Bev Holdsworth said the kitten, aged about 6 weeks, was exhausted after its ordeal but had bounced back after a big feed and a sleep. "She's a very pretty little cat and loves being cuddled," she said. The kitten, which had been dubbed Sapphire because of its intensely blue eyes, had already had several offers of a home if it was not claimed.
Man quizzed after van blaze
Police are speaking to a man in relation to a fire that completely destroyed a school minivan. Firefighters rushed to the Paihia Primary School carpark on School Rd about 12.10am yesterday but the minivan was fully engulfed. The vehicle belonged to the school. Paihia fire chief Rex Wilson said a community asset has sadly been destroyed. The van was parked under a sensor and security lights when the fire started. Whangarei Police Senior Sergeant Darren Sullivan said a man was arrested near the scene and glass allegedly from the burned-out van and tools were found on him. No charges were laid by 1.30pm yesterday.
Man hurt in domestic episode
A man was taken to the Whangarei Hospital with lacerations to his arm after a domestic incident. The incident happened at a house on Mount Pleasant Rd in Otaika about 3.25pm on Saturday.
Rare birds lay eggs
A few precious eggs have been laid at Waipu, Mangawhai and Te Arai by New Zealand's, and possibly the world's, most endangered shorebird. There are only 37 fairy terns left, the tiny population closely observed in a heart-in-mouth conservation effort.