Northland businesses have until Monday, April 30 to apply for the $40K 2018 NZ Space Challenge, which seeks innovative solutions for working in extreme environments such as Antarctica. Northland has surprised Challenge organisers with five applications so far, and Northland Inc growth adviser Jiveen MacGillivray, who is organising the regional event, says he's hopeful there will be more before entries close. Find out more or apply at https://www.nzspacechallenge.com/ or follow @TechweekNorthland on facebook.
Sex slave case
A Fijian national who kept her teenage daughter as a sex slave lived in Whangarei with the girl when they moved to New Zealand in April 2014. Kasmeer Lata was this week jailed in the High Court at Auckland for more than six years for selling her daughter, who was under 18, to men some 1000 times. The offending happened in Auckland but the victim reported it to Whangarei police in November 2016. The mother and daughter lived in Whangarei for a few months after moving from Fiji before settling in South Auckland.
Laser pointers ban
The union representing pilots wants a complete ban on high-powered laser pointers after two more reported incidents of aircraft being targeted this month. On April 12 there were reports of a green laser strike on an Air New Zealand aircraft at Kerikeri, and three days later a Mount Cook Airline flight over the Canterbury town of Rolleston was struck by a red light shone from the ground.
The New Zealand Air Line Pilots' Association says its members have had enough of flight crews and passengers being put in danger. President Tim Robinson said it's an issue that other countries have dealt with through complete prohibition on the possession of such devices. NZALPA continues to press Parliament and regulators for laser attacks to be taken seriously and wants them to be made equivalent to such offences as hi-jacking and bomb threats, collectively known as "acts of illegal interference".
Pedestrian in serious condition after crash
A pedestrian received serious injuries when they were hit by a vehicle yesterday afternoon. The crash happened on State Highway 10 in Taipa around 3.20pm. The injuries were not thought to be life-threatening and the person was treated by ambulance personnel. The road remained open during the incident.
Big response to NRC Long Term Plan
More than 2200 submissions are in on the Northland Regional Council's (NRC) Long Term Plan 2018-2028. NRC chairman Bill Shepherd said he is delighted at that response as the council relies on community feedback when making ''big decisions''.
Shepherd described the LTP as "ambitious'' in reflecting community calls for the NRC to clean up waters, protect native species and provide better flood protection. Rates would have to rise to cover the costs of the "big three" regionwide consultation topics of water, pests and flood infrastructure funding, Shepherd said.It will be another few days before the submissions are logged in detail.
