Northland news briefs

The chained logs at Sandy Bay have been exposed by high water flow through the stream and are now floating. They will be removed.

Sandy Bay clean-up

Large, exposed logs and other materials will removed from Sandy Bay before wild weather expected later this week hits. Whangarei District Council said urgency was needed to remove the logs, chains and sand fences exposed by bad weather and king tides. The removal work expected to start today could take up to three days.

Friendship Force

Whangarei members are hosting the International Friendship Force's 33rd annual conference this week, with 150 people attending from New Zealand and overseas.
IFF members pledge to make a global, peaceful difference through exchange hospitality and cultural experiences, and being worthy ambassadors of their countries.

Events will include a marae visit and scenic tours. Whangarei member Gwendolyn Needham is the conference's chairwoman. The conference is at Barge Park until Friday.

Pair rob dairy

Police are looking for two men who robbed Daffodil Dairy on Maunu Rd armed with a weapon, believed to be a hammer, on Monday. Police said the men entered the store about 5.50pm and demanded cigarettes and cash. The duo left with an unknown amount of cash and cigarettes. There were no injuries to staff in the store at the time.

Police pursuit stop

A man appeared in the Whangarei District Court yesterday following a pursuit early in the morning. A vehicle was allegedly stolen from a Dargaville address and was travelling on SH14 when police stopped it near Tangiteroria at 1.45am.

It is alleged the two people in the vehicle swapped drivers before it took off. Police stopped the vehicle near Whangarei. A man was arrested and charged with a raft of offences linked to the pursuit. He was released on bail and will reappear on February 26.

Police open days

Whangarei and Dargaville police stations will unlock their doors to members of the public during open days at the stations on March 11. The day will include equipment used by the Armed Offenders Squad, police cars, and police dogs.

At Whangarei there will be a guided tour of the station including the cells and District Command Centre.