Northland news in brief, 3 Lotto 2nd Division wins and Pink Shirt Day approaches

The Lotto balls came out well for Northland on Saturday, with three tickets from the region winning Lotto Second Division, and one also winning Powerball Second Division.

Northland Lotto tickets strike it rich

Three tickets sold in Northland each won Lotto Second Division on Saturday with one also taking out Powerball Second Division.

The three tickets, two sold at Kerikeri New World and one at the Dargaville PostShop and Lotto store, were among 21 nationally that each won $17,353 on Lotto Second Division, with one of the Kerikeri tickets wining a total of $29,858 after being one of two nationally that also won Powerball Second Division.

Pink Shirt Day this Friday

Punters from around Northland will dress in Pink this week to stand up against bullying.
Friday marks Pink Shirt Day — a day which aims to create schools, workplaces and communities where all people feel safe, valued and respected.

Regent Training Centre is just one organisation in Northland marking the day. Staff and students will dress in pink and will walk the loop to stand up and stop bullying. To be part of Pink Shirt Day register by visiting www.pinkshirtday.org.nz.

Whangārei boat fire

Fire crews were called to a fire in the engine room of a boat in Whangārei on Saturday. However, Fire and Emergency shift manager Megan Ruru said the fire was out by the time crews arrived. She said the fire was believed to have been caused by welding. The boat was in the slipway of a dry dock on Fraser St when the fire happened shortly after 9am.

Horse stuck in a creek at Whangārei Heads.

A tractor and strops were needed to extract a horse from a creek at Whangārei Heads. Fire crews were called to a property on Rukuwai Rd, Parua Bay just after 6pm on Saturday where a horse had been discovered stuck in a creek. Paul McDonald from Whangārei Heads Fire brigade said the crew were able to pull the horse out, before a vet came and checked it over and gave it the okay. He said it was unknown how long the horse had been in the creek.

NRC Long Term Plan

Northland Regional Councillors will next week deliberate their Long Term Plan document, including public submissions.

The plan attracted more than 2200 submissions on a number of issues, including water, pests and flood infrastructure funding.

The meeting of NRC Councillors tomorrow will be open to the public but they won't be able to actively take part, including commenting or asking questions. The council is proposing an average rates increase of 29 per cent, excluding targeted levies on local transport and flooding.