Northland news briefs

Police will be patrolling Ninety Mile Beach this week during the annual Snapper Bonanza.

Bobbies on the beach

Police will be visible during this week's Snapper Bonanza on Ninety Mile Beach. In previous events, opportunistic thieves targeted vehicles while everyone was busy with prizegiving, Senior Sergeant Russell Richards said. This year, police hoped to prevent any cars being broken into. Police also wanted to encourage participants to make good decisions about drink driving, Richards said. "We want everyone to have a good time and enjoy the Snapper Bonanza but get home safely so they're back next year."

Locals asked to watch out

More tourists targeted by thieves in the Far North has prompted police to ask locals to tuck tourists under their wings. After German tourists Nico Lustig and Janina Hinnear had their possessions stolen at Ahipara last week, a Polish couple were targeted on Thursday night. The couple were camping in Mangonui when they were approached by a man who asked to borrow a phone charger. The man then attempted to steal the phone charger, Kaitaia Senior Sergeant Russell Richards said. One of the tourists intervened to stop the man from leaving with the phone charger, and the man threw the charger back at the tourists.

A 28-year-old Coopers Beach man was later arrested and charged over the incident. He appeared in the Kaitaia District Court on Friday and was remanded in custody until March 22. Richards said the tourists had been having a good time in New Zealand until this incident, with people offering them food and places to stay. "It's a reminder for locals to look after the tourists because they bring money to the community and they help the [vibrancy] of the community," he said.

Police presence at Snapper Bonanza

Police will be visible during this week's Snapper Bonanza on Ninety Mile Beach. In previous events, opportunistic thieves targeted vehicles while everyone was busy with prizegiving, Senior Sergeant Russell Richards said. This year, police hoped to prevent any cars being broken into. Police also wanted to encourage participants to make good decisions about drink driving, Richards said. "We want everyone to have a good time and enjoy the Snapper Bonanza but get home safely so they're back next year."

Power tolds target of raid

Power tools were targeted in a raid on Kaitaia Placemakers in the early hours of Saturday morning. Two men first tried to pry open the door with a piece of wood but when that failed, they returned with a large metal bar, smashing the glass in the front door. The two men stole power tools, leaving the building after three minutes. Kaitaia police are appealing for information and are looking for a light-coloured, seven-seater people mover.

Fisheries grants available

Northland Māori can apply for funds to promote and advance freshwater fisheries development, research and education. Te Wai Māori Trust is now accepting applications for the Wai Ora Fund for 2019. The purpose of the Wai Ora Fund is to enable iwi and Māori to obtain funding to promote and advance freshwater fisheries development, research and education. This year, a total of $250,000 has been made available for projects.

Since 2014, Te Wai Māori has supported 35 projects through the Wai Ora Fund and provided over $1.4 million in funding. Each application must be for no more than $50,000 plus GST. For more information on criteria, please refer to the Wai Ora Fund 2019 Guidelines at www.waimaori.maori.nz Te Wai Māori will be receiving applications via email at info@waimaori.maori.nz, and applications close at 5pm on June 5.