News briefs from Northland: Health trust wants new trustees and student taken to hospital

Hokianga Health Trust, which runs Rawene Hospital, is looking for new trustees

Hokianga Health Trust meetings

The Hokianga Health Trust is preparing for its annual series of community meetings in October, where it will report on the achievements and challenges of 2017/18 and its plans for the future. A trustee will also be elected in each clinic area for a two-year term. Hokianga residents who are interested in the issues involved in health provision and would like to put yourself forward should contact Gina Albert on (09) 405-7347 for the criteria and a nomination form. Nominations close on September 28.

Student taken to hospital

A student at Whangārei's Excellere College was taken to hospital by St John Ambulance as a precaution yesterday afternoon after they fainted, fell and hit their head. Police said the incident happened at about 1pm.

Motorist has lucky escape

A motorist who drove straight through the SH1/SH10 intersection at Pakaraka in the early hours of Saturday morning survived unscathed. Kawakawa's Chief Fire Officer, Wayne Martin, said the car, travelling from the direction of Kerikeri, should have stopped then turned left or right on to SH1 but crossed the highway and crashed into an olive grove. Fire crews from Kawakawa, Kerikeri and Kaikohe responded.

Twice charged with drink-driving

An 18-year-old man who was charged with driving with excess alcohol when he was stopped at a police checkpoint at Awanui early on Sunday morning after he recorded a reading of more than 500 micrograms per litre of breath was taken home, but was spotted driving again a few minutes later. He was then stopped after a pursuit, and again he exceeded the limit (which is zero for teenage drivers). He was charged a second time, and with failing to stop.

Suffrage exhibition

An exhibition Into the Sunshine - Celebrating 125 years of Women's Suffrage is being held at Whangārei's Quarry Arts Centre from next week. The exhibition will open on Friday, September 14, at 5.30 and runs until October 4 at the Quarry Arts Centre in Selwyn Ave.