News in brief: Northland teen arrested after police pursuit

An 18-year-old man was arrested after he allegedly led police on a pursuit just south of Whangārei. Photo/NZME

Teen nabbed after chase

A police pursuit involving a stolen vehicle just south of Whangārei ended with the arrest of a teenager from Kaitaia. Senior Sergeant Steve Dickson said police stopped the driver of a 1996 Subaru Impreza on SH1 south of Whangārei about 8.45pm on Friday but he allegedly failed to remain stopped. The vehicle was stolen from Auckland on Friday. The fleeing driver drove over road spikes that were laid near Loop Rd before stopping on Whaka St, Raumanga where he was arrested. No pleas were taken when he appeared in the Whangārei District Court on Saturday on charges of unlawful taking of a motor vehicle, failing to stop, reckless driving, and giving false details. He also faces a charge of driving with excess breath alcohol. He blew 321 micrograms of alcohol per litre of breath. Drivers under 20 have a zero alcohol limit.

Lotto win

A lucky punter from Auckland won $300,000 with Strike Four in Saturday's live Lotto draw. The winning ticket was sold on MyLotto. Powerball was not struck and has rolled over to Wednesday night where the jackpot will be $8 million. Lotto First Division will be $1 million and Strike Four will be $100,000 on Wednesday night. The winning Lotto numbers on Saturday were 10, 12, 15, 17, 18, and 34 with Bonus number 23 and Powerball 2.

Quick action limits fire damage

Volunteer firefighters from Kawakawa and Paihia saved a shed at Opua containing a car, a boat and beehives. Paihia station officer Michael Fayne said a rubbish fire spread through kikuyu grass to a shed on State Highway 11, near Rigden Rd, about 11am on Saturday. The owners and firefighters managed to get the car and boat out along with a generator full of petrol, while fire crews on the three appliances and one tanker limited damage to the roller door and one corner of the large shed. ''It was a good save,'' he said.

Search for kayak owner ends

Police have called off a search after they are satisfied no one had fallen off a kayak found drifting in waters off Northland. A yellow kayak with one fresh snapper onboard off the Cavalli Islands sparked a search by Coastguard about 10.10am on Friday. There were no reports of anyone launching on a kayak that morning or reports of a missing person. A search around the Cavalli Islands, Flat Island and Mahinepua Bay by Whangaroa Coastguard, Northland Air Patrol and police search and rescue staff did not locate any missing person. Senior Sergeant Steve Dickson said police would wait to see if anyone came forward to claim the kayak.

Battle of bands contest

Time is running out to enter a ''battle of the bands'' for musicians aged 18 and under from Whangārei to Cape Reinga. The event, at Kerikeri's Turner Centre on November 10, is organised by the Be Free Youth instead of the music mentoring group's usual spring concert. Go to befreeplaymusic.wordpress.com/battle-of-the-bands to register. Entries close on October 31.