Northland news in brief

Whangarei's Armistice Day commemorations tomorrow will be at the Laurie Hall Park War Memorial.

Armistice Day

The Whangarei RSA is commemorating Armistice Day tomorrow with a ceremony at the Laurie Hall Park War Memorial. Armistice Day marks the official end of World War I in 1918 and is commemorated on the 11th hour of the 11th day of the 11th month.

Tomorrow's commemoration starts at 10.40am and finishes around 11.10am.

Charity tournament

Keen anglers from around the country - plus a few from across the Tasman - will take to the Bay of Islands this weekend to raise money for the National Childrens' Burns Unit at Middlemore Hospital.

Since the Blu Heelers Charity Fishing Tournament was started by Northland police 22 years ago the event has raised more than $300,000 for deserving charities in the North and around the country.

The contest runs from November 12-15 and will be based out of the Bay of Islands Swordfish Club in Paihia, with about 150 competitors on 55 boats targeting snapper, kahawai, kingfish and crayfish. This year's fundraising target is $10,000. Dave "Beechey" Campbell, convenor of every tournament to date, will once again be in charge.

Carjacking search

Police are looking for a man who carried out a carjacking at the Otaika shops on Wednesday morning. A white Holden Crewman ute with construction tools in the back, was parked at the shops at 11.15am when a man climbed into the ute, told the person sitting inside to get out and drove off.

The man is described as a male Maori in his late 30s of solid build. He was shirtless, clean shaven and bald with a tribal tattoo on his left shoulder.

Premium prize

The creator of the best costume in a wearable arts contest at Paihia Ex-Services Club on Saturday will win a premium ticket to WOW (World of Wearable Arts) Wellington 2018 as well as return airfares and accommodation.

The competition categories are advanced, have a shot and wacky kids. For more information go to www.paihiaxservcies.co.nz or the Facebook pages Paihia Ex Servicemens Club or Joyces Paihia. All proceeds from the fundraising show will go to Paihia and Opua primary schools.

Earth through fire

The primordial elements of earth and fire connect metal and ceramic forms in an exhibition by Julie Cromwell and Peter Brammer opening this week at the Quarry Arts Centre. In From Earth Through Fire, Brammer's work explores form through steel.

The complex structures appear simple and symbolic, and are made by traditional blacksmithing and contemporary welding processes. Cromwell investigates form, process and life's rhythms in her ceramic vessels. Methods of firing and glazing enhance the pieces and accentuate the forms' anthropomorphic nature.

From Earth Through Fire opens at the Yvonne Rust Gallery today at 5pm, running until November 28.