Parakeets to be released
Forty kakariki (red-crowned parakeets) caught on Little Barrier Island are due to be released in the Bay of Islands today. The brightly coloured birds, which have been extinct in the Bay for more than 30 years, will be re-introduced on Moturua Island as part of Project Island Song, which aims to restore native flora and fauna on the Ipipiri islands between Russell and Cape Brett.
The birds have been housed in a temporary aviary on Little Barrier since Sunday; this morning they will be transported to their new home by helicopter. Originally the birds had been due to be released tomorrow but forecast deteriorating weather has forced the operation to be brought forward by a day.
Lotto winner $20,000 richer
A ticket sold in Whangarei was among 12 nationally that earned more than $20,000 in Lotto Second Division on Saturday. The ticket, sold at Tikipunga Countdown, won $20,044 Saturday night's live Lotto draw.
Tree climber on run
A Kaitaia man who avoided arrest by climbing to the top of a tree and refusing to come down is still on the run. Police recognised the wanted man at the Kaitaia skatebowl on Thursday evening but he ran away before he could be arrested.
He was found a short time later 10m up a tree on Mathews Ave. He refused to come down and allegedly started breaking off branches and throwing them at police officers below. They eventually left him up there. He climbed down some time that night because the tree was unoccupied the next morning. Police remain confident they will find him.
Golf event helps MS Society
The Whangarei Lions Club held their annual Golf Charity Tournament at the Whangarei Golf Club, Mt Denby, recently. There were about 116 golfers who took part, and the proceeds went to the Northland Multiple Sclerosis Society.
Many local business firms generously donated goods and their services as prizes. MS Northland Society thanked the Whangarei Lions for their support. With the Lions Club donation the society will support and assist those living with MS in the Northland Region to improve their health and wellbeing.
Pair charged after robbery
A 20-year-old man and a 15-year-old boy have been jointly charged with the aggravated robbery of Cactus Liquor in Kaitaia last month. They were remanded in custody by the Kaitaia District and Youth courts respectively last week, and were due to appear in Whangarei yesterday.
Driver summonsed after near-miss
The 18-year-old driver of a car that almost crashed into a house in Kaitaia on Sunday night was unhurt, but was summonsed for driving with excess alcohol (330 micrograms) and driving while forbidden.
The teenager told police he had lost control when he swerved to avoid an approaching vehicle in his lane in Pukepoto Rd, his car crashing through a power box and a fence, stopping just short of the house.
Police have blaze suspect
Police have a suspect for lighting the fire that damaged a pile of wooden pallets outside Kaitaia's Hike and Bike at 4am on Sunday. They suspect that the fire, which was doused by the local fire brigade before it could spread to nearby trees and parked cars, was linked with damage done to a car on Friday night.