Northland news: Alien Weaponry documentary, fraud case sentencing delayed

Alien Weaponry is the subject of a new documentary. Photo/Supplied

Te Whenua: Alien Weaponry Shake Europe

A Waipū thrash metal band, known for their te reo Māori songs, will be the subject of a new 10-part web series being released next week. The RNZ Music documentary - Rū Ana Te Whenua: Alien Weaponry Shake Europe - follows Northland thrash metal band Alien Weaponry on their 2018 European tour where band members - brothers Henry and Lewis de Jong and friend Ethan Trembath - performed at Germany's Wacken Open Air festival. The documentary was shot by DOP and director Kent Belcher who was embedded with the band for six weeks from June to August 2018. Kent went everywhere with the band, sleeping in the tour van, sharing campsite meals, and joining in with regular "Tūtira Mai Ngā Iwi" sing-alongs. The documentary will live on rnz.co.nz/alienweaponry on Monday, February 18.

Facts dispute delays fraud sentencing

A disputed facts hearing this Friday in the fraud case against a former Waitangi National Trust financial manager has been postponed with no new date set as yet. Wallace Tamamotu Te Ahuru was to have been sentenced on November 30 last year after pleading guilty to defrauding the trust of just over $1.2 million in a case brought by the Serious Fraud Office. However, the November sentencing was adjourned due to a dispute over the summary of facts. Now the disputed facts hearing scheduled for February 15 in the Manukau District Court has also been adjourned. The reason for the delay is not known. According to the SFO, Te Ahuru, of Kerikeri, made 43 payments totalling $1,221,268.84 to his own account between June 2016 and September 2017, and spent the money on travel, a luxury car, cosmetic surgery and other items.

Councillor not running for mayor

Far North District councillor Ann Court is planning to stand again for council in this year's local government elections but ''definitely not'' for the mayoralty. Former Green MP David Clendon of Kerikeri, who ran unsuccessfully in the 2018 byelection, has been shoulder-tapped by people suggesting he should run for mayor but says he's not giving it serious consideration. A paragraph was omitted in the editing process from yesterday's story about the Far North mayoral race, giving the impression they may have been considering entering the race.

Objections deadline looms

The deadline for lodging an objection against a Whangārei District Council property valuation is this Friday. The valuations were released earlier this year. To object, complete an objection form and fill in your estimate of the property's values, with any supporting information. Return the form to the Whangārei District Council. The objection form is available on the council's website, or it can be posted or emailed to you, or it can be collect from Council offices. For more information, go to www.wdc.govt.nz or call 0800 WDC INFO or 09 430 4248, or email mailroom@wdc.govt.nz

Trust distributes grants

Last year more than $3.3 million was granted to 102 community groups in Northland and Auckland by the SKYCITY Auckland Community Trust, and now applications for another round are open. Go to www.skycitycommunitytrust.org.nz for the form and further information.