Firefighters to return
Two Whangarei brothers will be back in the country next week after fighting massive wildfires in Canada for the past four months. Nathan and Kieran Sullivan arrive back on Wednesday.
They were among hundreds of firefighters - including several more from Northland who left last month - dealing with up to 200 fires caused mostly by lightning strikes in Canada.
Cheque for St John
Chairman of the Northland branch of the New Zealand Motor Caravan Association Robert Wilson yesterday presented Ben Lockie, territory manager for St John Northland, with a cheque for $1200 raised by the campervan club at their latest rally.
The club held a silent auction of unwanted items donated by members at the rally held at the Ruakaka race course. The money will go towards paying for a defibrillator to be put at the Port Rd carpark at the bascule bridge.
Boy referred after fight
An under-aged boy was referred to Youth Aid after police attended to a report of fighting between boys in Whangarei. The assault took place during rush-hour traffic on Bank St about 4.45pm on Wednesday. It is understood the initial call to police was made by a staff at a nearby pre-school.
Gun safe pulled off wall
A gun safe with five firearms and ammunition has been wrenched off a wall at a rural Northland property. The theft was between August 28 and September 4 at a Waiotira property.
Police warned firearms owners to ensure gun safes were put in appropriate places, and that ammunition and gun bolts were stored separately. Gun owners were also urged to record serial numbers and take photographs of the firearms in case they were stolen.
Award for Treaty Grounds
The Waitangi Treaty Grounds won an award at last night's NZ Tourism Awards. The Treaty Grounds took out the ServiceIQ Visitor Experience Award and was the only winner from Northland. The top award, the Air NZ Supreme Tourism Award, went to Haka Tourism Group.