Northland news in brief

A horrific crash north of Taupo has left four people dead, including two Northlanders, and eight with moderate to serious injuries

Two victims from Northland

Two of the four people who died in the horrific Taupo crash on Tuesday are from Northland, police say. The four dead were Mele Ilisapi Oliveti, 44, a Tongan national residing in Palmerston North, Helen Adele Paul, 56, of Kaikohe, Leighton Phillip Ahuriri, 60, a New Zealander residing in Western Australia, and Hone Te Ahurei Hawkins-Kanuta, 5, of Kaikohe.

Business security tips

The Northland police Crime Prevention Unit is holding a workshop for Kaikohe business owners next month about how to deal with armed robbers and keep staff safe.

The workshop, from 7pm-9pm on Thursday, November 2, at the Kaikohe RSA is free and open to business owners, operators, managers and staff. Contact the Kaikohe Business Association by emailing kaikohekorero@gmail.com to attend.

The workshop comes after a series of armed robberies around the Mid North targeting dairies, service stations and fast food outlets.

Trio to Youth Aid

Three children, aged 10, 11 and 13, who were caught on CCTV damaging a building and vehicle in Kaitaia on Tuesday will be referred to Police Youth Aid.

They smashed three office windows and a truck's windows and tail lights, a police spokesman said, and a short time later damaged a picket fence outside the old McDonald's.

Lifejacket promotion

The compulsory wearing of lifejackets by everyone on board boats six metres and under will be highlighted at a "pontoon plunge" at Parua Bay today. Northland Regional Council maritime staff invite the public to the event, "Be a safe boatie mate", at 12pm.

Only invited guests who are capable swimmers will be allowed to make the jump and they will all wear lifejackets. It is estimated two-thirds of recreational boating deaths would be prevented if the victims had worn lifejackets.