Minerva hits 101
The vintage steam ship Minerva is celebrating its 101st birthday tomorrow with a spit roast and barbecue from 4pm at Ashbys Boatyard in Opua, in the recreational area next to the travel lift. Supporters can bring their own food for the barbie or be fed for a
$20 birthday donation to the Minerva restoration fund. The steam boat Eliza Hobson will be taking excursions all day.
Rahui remains
A rahui (ban) on collecting shellfish off Karikari Peninsula after the deaths of John "Prickles" de Ridder and William Macrae in a helicopter crash remains in place until December 14. The rahui applies to the area from Wairahoraho Stream on Karikari Beach around Cape Karikari to Maitai Bay.
Council holiday
Northland Regional Council offices will be closed from 2pm, Friday, December 23 until Wednesday, January 4 for the Christmas-New Year holiday break. The closures apply to council's head office in Water St, Whangarei and offices in Kaitaia, Opua and Dargaville. The 24/7 freephone Environmental Hotline (0800 504 639) will still be available. Speak out on seaEver felt annoyed about the location of ski lanes or other high-speed activities? Felt furious that some people are so casual about life-jacket use? Now's your chance to have your say, with the opening of submissions on proposed bylaw changes to the Northland Regional Council's Navigation Safety Bylaw. The changes are designed to make Northland harbours and estuaries safer and to reflect changing recreational uses in these areas. Among the main changes proposed are tightened life-jacket requirements, new or altered areas designated for high-speed activities, removal of some existing ski lanes, restrictuions on the transfer of mooring licenses and an increased emphasis on mooring maintenance. The public can comment on the proposals any time up to February 3, 2012. The NRC's Opua-based Regional Harbourmaster Jim Lyle, says the long consultation period - longer than usual - is designed to ensure that both local residents and those who regularly visit the coastal areas through summer have plenty of time to have their say. Northland was a region of water-users and coastal communities and the NRC was keen for everyone who uses the marine environment to have their say, he said.
A summary of the main changes proposed in the Draft Navigation Safety Bylaw 2012, along with a detailed comparison with the current bylaws is available on www.nrc.govt.nz/draftnavbylaw. Information also available on 0800 002 004.
Cutest baby sought
A search for the cutest baby will be a highlight of the Whangarei Filipino Society's Christmas celebration this weekend. More than 200 people of all nations are expected at the Forum North this Saturday for the annual merrymaking that includes a special Filipino dance, tinikling. Society president Neven Osmena said apart from the baby show, there would be other entertainment. In 2009, the society organised a similar event where a Miss Philippines-Whangarei was chosen.
"The show will be opened with a choral song to be sung by all officers and some members of our society." Three winners- cutest, best photogenic and a Peoples' Choice Award- will be announced.
The guest speaker will be Penny Kempton, chairman of the Whangarei Migrant Centre.
Tickets cost $20 for adults, $10 for those between 7 and 12 years while children under 6 are free .
Decorate your bike
Kaikohe's Christmas parade at 6pm tomorrow is celebrating the success, so far, of the Twin Coast Cycle Trail, with the Far North District Council entering a "cycling float" and offering prizes for the best-dressed bicycles.
Council staff will be on hand at the Mid-North Motor Inn from 4pm with copious supplies of tinsel, balloons and crepe paper to help decorate bikes for anyone, children especially, who wants to join in.
Float organiser Lau'rell Pratt said the council wanted to mark a good year for Kaikohe, with the Okaihau-Kaikohe leg of the cycle trail opening in May and more than 700 cyclists from across Northland taking part in the Mayoral Challenge.
"We wanted to bring a bit of that fun to the Christmas parade and remind Kaikohe people of the wonderful recreational amenity they have on their doorstep."
People who take part in the bike decorating workshop will be asked to donate a gold coin to charity.
A group of unicyclists, led by world champion Chris Huriwai, is expected to take part in the parade, which has nursery rhymes as its overall theme this year.
Paihia is also holding its Christmas parade tomorrow, starting at 5.30pm and travelling from Kings Rd along the waterfront to Williams Rd and around town. Every child who dresses up wins a prize.
Kaeo's parade will start at noon on Saturday, followed by a carnival at the Whangaroa College grounds and a free concert by Far North reggae band 1814.