Gita to miss North
While the upper South Island gets pummelled by Cyclone Gita, Northland will experience mostly fine weather for the rest of this week with a few showers in between. Rain is expected mainly along Northland's east coast this afternoon easing off in the evening while cloudy periods are expected tomorrow. Southerlies with afternoon showers are in store for Friday, Saturday and Sunday. Daytime temperatures will drop slightly to mid 20s but humidity will remain between 90 per cent and 100 per cent.
Stolen ute sightings
Police are calling for sightings of a brand-new, sign-written Ford Ranger brazenly stolen from a Mid North worksite. The 2017 ute, with the licence plate KWC631 and Ritchie's Roofing written on the sides, was parked at a worksite on State Highway 1 at Pakaraka when it was taken on Friday afternoon. Sergeant Ross Laurie, of Mid North police, said the owner heard a car door slam but assumed it was the farmer coming home, then saw his ute disappear down the driveway with $10,000 worth of tools on board. Call the Kerikeri station on (09) 407 9211 if you see the ute or have any information about the theft.
Assault charge
A 30-year-old Kawakawa man has been charged with a serious assault on a partygoer. Sergeant Ross Laurie, of Mid North police, said a fight broke out at a party on Johnston Rd, Kawakawa, on Saturday night. A man was punched in the face and fell to the ground, where the offender then allegedly kicked him. The injured man was taken to Bay of Islands Hospital by family members. The 30-year-old was arrested and charged with assault with intent to injure.
Lotto win for North
A Northland Lotto player will be celebrating after winning $27,083. The lucky player is one of nine who won Lotto Second Division on Saturday. The winning Northland ticket was purchased on My Lotto. The other tickets were purchased in Auckland, Waihi Beach, Bay of Plenty and Invercargill.
Mycoplasma bovis meetings
DairyNZ held farmer meetings at Whangarei, Okaihau and Kaitaia yesterday to discuss Mycoplasma bovis, the bulk milk testing programme and on-farm biosecurity. The same topics will be covered during meetings at the Lighthouse Function Centre in Dargaville from 10am-11.30am and the Ruawai Community Sports Facility from 1pm-2.30pm today and at the Tomarata Hall at Te Arai from 10am-11.30am tomorrow.