It was standing room only at the 2018 Northland Pest Control Workshop held by Kiwi Coast and Northland Regional Council at Opuawhanga. 120 people attended last week's workshop, representing more than 50 different Northland community groups, hapu and organisations. It provided an opportunity for 112 projects linked to Kiwi Coast to share knowledge and experience. In the past five years they collectively trapped 229,372 pests and reversed the decline of some threatened species and forests. The workshop was sponsored by Key Industries and the Department of Conservation Community Fund.
Car in mangroves
An alleged speeding driver crashed into mangroves shortly after police abandoned a pursuit in the Far North. A 1990 Holden Commodore was seen allegedly speeding on State Highway 10 in Mangonui about 11.15am on Tuesday and police initially started a pursuit but abandoned it because of excessive speed. The car crashed into mangroves on Backriver Rd and the driver, the sole occupant, allegedly fled the scene when police arrived.
Man approaches girl
Police are keen to speak to a middle-aged man who allegedly accosted a nine-year-old girl at Pukenui at 3.15 on Monday afternoon, asking her what she was doing and offering her a ride home. The child ran home and was unharmed. The man, who was driving a white van, is described as very tanned, unshaven, with short brown 'boofy' hair. He was wearing a yellow T-shirt, green Hunting and Fishing pants and high-top basketball boots. Anyone with any information should call the Kaitaia police on (09) 408 6500, or the Houhora station on (09) 409 8822.