Drunken disturbance
An intoxicated Kaitaia man who upset domestic equilibrium on Tuesday night by arguing with his partner, waking the baby and his mother-in-law, was locked out of the house for his troubles. He was taken away by police, served with a Police Safety Order, given a pie and delivered to his mum's couch for a much-needed sleep.
Pirates rule waves
The sail-training schooner R. Tucker Thompson will be in Whangarei Harbour later this month and offer sailings for schools and community groups.
While the ship is in Whangarei, the trust is offering two-hour sailings between May 25 to May 29. As well, the ship will be hosting its very popular "Kiddies Pirate Sail" on the afternoon of Saturday, May 27.
It is a fantastic occasion for families to dress up and growl like pirates on a real tall ship. Groups of 20 or more people are urged to contact the trust. Tickets are available online http://tucker.co.nz/the-tucker-comes-to-whangarei/. Contact the trust at info@tucker.co.nz or call 09 402 8430 for more details.
Driver does runner
The police did not get their man after a "mini-pursuit" around Kaitaia late on Thursday night but they did get his car keys. Their quarry, who had been driving around the town like a "cut cat", abandoned the car in a driveway in Pukepoto Rd and "legged it".
Firefighters collect cash
Kerikeri firefighters, assisted by members of Kerikeri's roller derby squad, will be out and about in the town today collecting donations ahead of their Sky Tower Challenge on May 13. All money raised in the event will go to Leukaemia and Blood Cancer New Zealand.
Weed workshops
How to tackle some of the Northland's worst weeds will be the topic at free workshops in Paparoa, Whangarei, Kerikeri and Coopers Beach.
The Northland Regional Council pest plant specialist Sara Brill will host the seventh annual weed workshops from July 24-29.
The council holds two pest plant workshops a day at each venue based on demand from local communities. Up to 200 people take advantage of the offer to learn how to better manage both land and freshwater-based weeds.
People interested in attending should email Sara Brill, sarab@nrc.govt.nz, or call (09) 470 1162 to register.
Planning for park
Te Runanga-a-Iwi o Ngati Kahu and Healthy Families Far North are extending an open invitation to a community meeting at Kaitaia's Parkdale reserve (Parkdale Cres/Allen Bell Drive) on Monday (3.30pm-5.30pm) to share in korero, kai and play while scoping out the future for the park.
Contact Hohepa Petera Rameka on (09) 408-3013 or Manuera Riwai on (09) 408-0141 for more.
Sculptor in residence
Auckland-based sculptor Regan Gentry is the inaugural winner of the Dalton Trust/Wharepuke artist residency at Kerikeri's Art at Wharepuke. He receives an artist's fee plus four weeks' accommodation, in return for which he is expected to create a work suitable for outdoor display in Wharepuke Subtropical Gardens.
Mr Gentry's work, which can be seen around New Zealand, typically depicts the relationship of people to their environment. He uses a wide range of materials to make sculptures characterised by "a playful musing and using of material, language, location and structure".
