Meet the candidates

Denby byelection voters can meet, greet and make up their minds at a November 11 candidates meeting. The

Northern Advocate

organised event is 10am to 12pm at Kamo Intermediate School.

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Advocate

editor Craig Cooper said there were too many candidates for a speech and question time format. "There won't be any speeches, instead, voters can come and talk to the candidates directly, and make their voting decision". Voting starts from November 15. Greg Shipton, Vanessa Wilson and Haydn Edmonds have withdrawn from the election and are not campaigning.

Extermination of ants
The Department of Conservation has closed its Rarawa Beach campground until November 19 while its carries out an Argentine ant eradication programme. The ants are an invasive species which can kill native insects, lizards and birds, but have become established at the campground, on Great Exhibition Bay about midway between Kaitaia and Cape Reinga. The reopening date may change if poor weather delays the eradication.

Fireworks show postponed
A fireworks show at Springbank School near Kerikeri has been postponed until November 25 because poor weather is forecast this weekend. The show, the biggest public fireworks event in the Far North, had been due to take place this evening.

Walk in aid of sufferer
A fundraising walk is being held in Kerikeri tomorrow in aid of fitness trainer GJ Hill, 29, who is battling Stage 4 Hodgkin's lymphoma. The 6km walk will start at 11.30am in the Department of Conservation reserve at Kerikeri Basin, head up the Stone Store Hill, across the Heritage Bypass and back down the Rainbow Falls track. Participants are asked to make a donation. A sausage sizzle and raffle draws will be held afterwards. The walk is being organised by GJ's training partner Yeadon Strongman-Waha and his girlfriend Josefina Pantano. Mr Hill, originally from Whangarei, is a former Northland No. 1 golfer and has featured in Australian TV series The NRL Rookie.

Drivers urged to cut speed
The NZ Transport Agency is asking motorists to slow down as they travel through road surfacing work on the Brynderwyn Hills, to help the work to be finished sooner. Final surfacing work on the southern side of the hill is due to be completed early next week, if the weather is fine. State Highway 1 over the Brynderwyns will be closed in both directions from 6.45pm tomorrow, and will reopen at 5am on Monday. Work will continue from 6.45pm-5am on Monday and Tuesday. Detours will be in place with traffic control staff providing guidance which will add an extra 30 to 45 minutes to the journey. Southbound traffic will be diverted through Waipu and Mangawhai, with northbound traffic diverted via Paparoa and Oakleigh.

Man threatened fishery officer
A 42-year-old male from Dargaville has been found guilty of obstructing and threatening an Honorary Fishery Officer and being in possession of 62 toheroa on the West Coast. He was sentenced to 120 hours of community service, with his vehicle forfeited to the crown.

Opposition role for Reti
Whangarei MP Shane Reti has been named data spokesperson and associate health spokesperson in National's Opposition lineup. The data portfolio was newly created and Dr Reti welcomed the opportunity to develop the role.