Northland news brief

Kerikeri's Stone Store is one of the Heritage New Zealand's Northland properties that will be open free of charge on Waitangi Day.

Free Waitangi Day access

Heritage New Zealand has responded to huge public demand by declaring that all its staffed Northland properties will again be open free of charge on Waitangi Day.

The full list of properties is Clendon House, the Kerikeri Stone Store, Kemp House, Mangungu Mission, Pompallier Mission and Printery and Te Waimate Mission House in Northland. For details on times and events planned at individual properties go to www.heritage.org.nz closer to the day.

Cafe snuffs out smokers

Whangarei cafe Smith and Local Cafe is the latest in Northland to go smokefree. The cafe, in Rathbone St, has been awarded with a Smokefree Cafe Award by Northland DHB and Cancer Society Northland for its decision to make the outdoor seating area smokefree.

This makes the café an entirely smokefree premise. There are 20 cafes in Northland that offer smokefree outdoor dining. Wine bottles stolen

Whangarei police are investigating a burglary at Tikipunga Liquorland where wine was stolen. A group of males broke windows at the store, in the Tikipunga Shopping Centre, shortly before 2am yesterday and gained entry.

A quantity of wine bottles was stolen. Any information can be given to Whangarei police on 09 4304500 or anonymously to Crimestoppers on 0800 555111.

Inspiring candidates sought

The Asthma and Respiratory Foundation NZ is calling for nominations for the Respiratory Achievers' Awards 2018. Foundation chief executive Letitia O'Dwyer said the awards are an opportunity to honour and celebrate the achievements of New Zealanders living with a respiratory condition and every nominee receives a certificate.

Six award winners will be flown to Wellington all expenses paid, to be presented an award at a prestigious national award ceremony on April 19. For more information or to download a nomination form visit asthmaandrespiratory.org.nz, with nominations closing on February 28.