A message to all the Robs in the Bay of Islands: Have you lost a birthday present?
A gift labelled "Rob's Birthday", along with an e-book, watches, dinghies and a bag of bike helmets, is among the lost property handed in to the Kerikeri Police Station over the past few months but as yet unclaimed.
The rightful owners of the lost property can contact Constable Judith van de Lande at the Kerikeri station, or phone (09) 945 6206 or 021 191 6012 between 9am and 4pm, Wednesday to Friday. Unclaimed items will be returned to the finder.
Electronics: A pink Canon camera in its case; a Papyre electronic book; a pink smartphone; a silver-coloured iPod in protective casing; and a smartphone in a case with the letter K.
Wallets: A wallet which looks like an American dollar bill.
Watches: A Ripcurl ladies' watch; Citizen men's watch; Ripcurl men's watch; gold-and silver-coloured ladies' watches; Kenneth Cole men's watch; CK ladies' watch.
Jewellery: A silver-coloured bracelet with a heart; pearl-type necklace; gold-coloured ring with diamond-like stones, found in Paihia; silver-coloured ring with red and diamond-like stones; gold-coloured ring with black and diamond-like stones.
Tools: Electronic measuring tool; cordless drill and torch.
Clothing: Black and purple sneakers; a bag containing jackets and cycle helmets.
Other: Two dinghies found at Opito Bay; a present labelled "Rob's Birthday".
Charity brekkie
Catering duo Neat Eats is holding a Pink Ribbon breakfast on Friday, May 16, with all proceeds going to breast cancer. Breakfast will be served in exchange for donations from 7.30-10.30am outside the Neat Eats kitchen in Hub Mall (opposite McDonalds). The menu includes hot cakes with toppings such as fruit and bacon.
Sculpture screening
A sculpture by Northland artist Chris Booth in Sydney's Botanic Gardens is the subject of a documentary premiering at Kerikeri's Turner Centre on Saturday.
Mr Booth's biggest work to date, Wurrungwuri, was unveiled in 2011. One part of the Aboriginal-inspired sculpture is made from 16,000 threaded quartz pebbles using a design from the Cadigal people, the other consists of 200 sandstone blocks cascading down the lawn below Government House towards Sydney Harbour. The biggest public artwork commissioned in Australia, it has been designed to create habitat for flora and fauna.
The documentary, by film-maker David Stalley, has its New Zealand premiere at 8pm on Saturday, May 17, in the Turner Centre plaza. Entry by donation.
Pool project starts
The transformation of Kawakawa's public pool is beginning this Saturday, May 17, with a week-long working bee.
Volunteers will be painting the roof, replacing guttering and clear roof panels, painting the building, creating "fence art" and working on a garden project. The working bee is due to wind up on May 25.
Locals were spurred to revamp the Bay of Islands Community Pool after a report commissioned for the Far North District Council suggested closing the Kawakawa pool and building a new one at Kerikeri instead. While the council has distanced itself from the report the community's idea was to transform the pool into something so unique no one would dare close it in future. To lend a hand call Richard Duley on (09) 404 0043.
Gate locked
The gate to Waitangi's Wairoa Bay, a popular recreational area and launching spot for small boats, has been locked due to ongoing problems with hoons.
The beach and grassed area, which is accessed via Bayly Rd past the Waitangi Golf Course, can still be used by the public but they have to park outside the gate.
The land belongs to the Waitangi National Trust which used to unlock the gate every morning and close it at dusk.
Visitor experiences manager Mori Rapana said locking the gate was the only option open to the trust, due to copious amounts of rubbish dumped by campervan users and hoons driving on the grass, smashing bottles, leaving rubbish and behaving unacceptably towards nearby residents.
People were still welcome to use the beach, he said.
Calling top teachers
Nominations are open for the 2014 A Day Made Better programme, a search for the country's best primary and intermediate school teachers.
Fifteen winners will be chosen from nominations by their peers and presented with $1000 worth of arts, stationery and office supplies for their classroom.
Previous Northland winners include Kate Kerr from Okaihau Primary School, Pam Cox from Pukenui School, and Catherine Murray from Broadwood Area School. Principals, teachers and school administrators can nominate teachers through adaymadebetter.co.nz.
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