News briefs from Northland: Highland Games return and shellfish warning

The annual Waipū Highland Games is on again on January 1.

Planning is well under way for the 148th annual Waipū Highland Games. The games will be held in Caledonian Park, in Waipū, on January 1 and includes all aspects of Scottish Highland Games, including the Highland heavyweight competition, piping, dancing and track events. Organisers say with Waipū reeling and recovering from the recent massive fire in the main street, things like the Games will go a long way towards building up confidence and prosperity in the town. The games attract crowds in excess of 5000. For more details go to http://www.waipugames.co.nz.

Bay of Islands Shellfish warning

A warning not to collect or eat shellfish from part of the Bay of Islands has been issued following a sewage spill at Kawakawa Hospital. The public are advised not to collect or consume shellfish harvested from the Kawakawa River/lower Waikare area - which includes areas upstream of Okiato Pt, including the lower reaches of the Waikere inlet west of Marriott Island and Waikino creek - until further notice.

Justice staff to vote

After one month of rolling industrial action, PSA members at the Ministry of Justice are now voting on whether or not to take further industrial action after their long running talks to reach a new collective agreement hit another stalemate. PSA's MOJ National Delegates Committee has recommended continuing work to rule actions that started at the same time as a nationwide strike on September 19. The ballot on whether to continue industrial action will close on Wednesday. The PSA has 77 members in Northland who work at the Whangārei District and High Courts, Whangārei Māori Land Court, and Kaikohe and Kaitaia District Courts.

Couple drive for help after crash

An elderly couple drove several kilometres down the road to call for help after being involved in a crash on State Highway 12 yesterday. Police said the crash happened around noon near Waipoua Forest and the couple, who reported having chest pains, drove until they had enough phone signal to call emergency services. A person in the other vehicle was reported to have leg injuries. Police said all three were checked over by St John staff at the scene.

Wellington ticket wins $1m

A Lotto ticket sold in Wellington won its holder $1 million with Lotto First Division in Saturday's Lotto draw. Powerball was not struck and will be worth $6 million on Wednesday. The winning Lotto numbers were 04, 12, 26, 28, 32 and 35 with the bonus number 21 and Powerball number 1. The winning Strike numbers were 28, 26, 12 and 04.