The Government's Safe and Effective Justice Programme Advisory Group – Te Uepū Hāpai i te Ora – is in Whangārei today as part of its nationwide consultation to gather information on the criminal justice system. This is the fourth of 14 visits being held across New Zealand before Christmas to hear from people who have experienced the criminal justice system, as victims of crime or those who have committed crimes, and the groups who work in or with it every day. The Advisory Group will hold a public drop-in clinic today at Whangārei Central Library, 5 Rust Ave, from 1.30pm-4pm.
Youths in court
Three youths accused of a violent robbery of a Northland superette have appeared in court after handing themselves in at Kaikohe police station yesterday morning. The youths, aged 14-16, appeared in the Kaikohe Youth Court later in the day charged with aggravated robbery. The charges relate to a October 24 robbery at the Kaikohe Discounter, on lower Broadway, when cash and cigarettes were stolen and two shop workers were threatened with a crowbar or similar weapon and assaulted. Police inquiries are continuing.
Stolen trailer returned
A trailer stolen from The Warehouse car park in Kaitaia last week and spotted by police the next day was returned to the Kaitaia police station on Sunday. The driver of the vehicle that delivered it wasted no time in unhooking it, a police spokesman said, but was not fast enough to escape attention. A Ngataki man was now helping police with their inquiry. The $2800 trailer was stolen on Wednesday, under the gaze of a CCTV camera, and the following day was spotted by a police patrol near Unahi. A pursuit ensued, the police following at a distance of several hundred metres because of the driver's speed and manner of driving as he headed for Waipapakauri Ramp, where he took to the beach and headed north. The officer was unable to follow and an extensive search in Te Hiku Forest was unsuccessful. "Someone obviously got the message though, because the trailer was delivered here on Sunday," the spokesman said. The alleged offender would likely face charges including dangerous driving.
Student wins competition
A Te Kāpehu Whetū student has won a national poster competition designed to increase awareness about antibiotic resistance and the importance of hand washing. The Health Quality & Safety Commission partnered with ACC and the Ministry Health for Patient Safety Week to raise awareness about infection prevention and control, and the importance of good hand hygiene. As part of Patient Safety Week activity, a national poster competition was run in schools last term for children in years five to eight. The aim was to increase awareness about antibiotic resistance, and the importance of hand washing frequently to prevent minor illnesses. The best regional entry was won by Te Kāpehu Whetū student Melody Brown, who received a special edition speed+ Micro scooter as her prize.
