Northland in brief

Lotto wins

Two tickets sold in Northland were among 24 nationally that each won more than $14,000 in Lotto Second Division on Saturday. The tickets, one sold online at MyLotto and the other at Regent New World in Whangarei, each won their holders $14,387.

Favourite bird

Northlanders can vote for their favourite New Zealand bird with the 12th annual Forest & Bird's Bird of the Year competition under way. The competition attracts more than 20,000 votes each year. Last year it had a voting scandal when two teenagers used fake email addresses to vote more than 200 times for the kokako, briefly getting it to first place. Last year's Bird of the Year was the bar-tailed godwit, which swooped into the lead with 1957 votes. Voting closes at 5pm on Sunday October 30, with the winner announced the following day. To vote go to www.birdoftheyear.org.nz.

Death inquiry

Police are continuing to investigate the death of Northland man Moses Noor Mahanga. The 25-year-old was found dead in the driver's seat of a car parked on William Jones Dr in Otangarei, Whangarei, on October 4. Police say they are following positive lines of inquiry but have made no arrests. Mahanga died of a gunshot wound.

Juken mill fire

The Kaitaia Fire Brigade responded to a fire at Juken NZ's veneer mill at 12.40am yesterday. Deputy chief fire officer Craig Rogers said the steam suppressant unit dealt with the problem, leaving the crew with little more to do than stand back and watch it do its job.

Man sought

Police are appealing for information about a dreadlocked man fleeing through the carpark between the Kerikeri shops and Bunnings on Friday. Sergeant Ross Laurie said staff heard the shop's rear door slam then found someone had been through their bags and taken wallets. The suspect was described as male Maori with long dreads. Mr Laurie urged anyone who had seen a man fitting that description leaving the rear of the shops about noon on October 14 to call the Kerikeri station on (09) 407 9211.