Pork Pie charity run
Next Friday 50 Mini cars will set off on an epic 2350km journey from Paihia to Invercargill in the Pork Pie Charity Run for KidsCan. Over six days they'll roughly retrace the route the Blondini Gang took in the Kiwi classic film "Goodbye Pork Pie", which started
in Kaitāia. With Minis from the 1960s and not a lot of leg or headroom it might not be the most comfortable trip, but it's a colourful one with a lot of fun en route. The teams, from around New Zealand, are aiming to raise more than $300,000 for kids in hardship in a particularly tough year.
Top snapper 5.895kg
Deon Kumm of Waitara won the $500 top prize for a 5.895kg snapper landed during Riders Sports Day, a separate fishing competition held on a lay day of the Ngāi Takoto Ninety Mile Beach Snapper Bonanza. During Riders Sports Day fishing is allowed from beaches on either coast, from Shipwreck Bay/Kōhanga to Tokerau Beach, from 7pm on Wednesday to 10.30am on Thursday. Second was Conrad Devan of Kaitaia (5.27kg) followed by John Powell of Maungaturoto (5.125kg), Jim O'Brian of Wellington (4.83kg) and Harrison Pene of Ahipara (4.66kg). The bonanza resumed at 7am on Friday but with the fishing zone shifted to avoid a rāhui south of Hukatere due to the death of an angler on Tuesday thought to have been caused by a medical event.
Young leaders chosen
Three young women have been selected to join the Far North District Council's TUIA Rangatahi Leadership programme. Justine Lyden, 25 , from Kaikohe, Codi Clarke, 25, from the Hokianga but living in Kaikohe, and Te Oi Singh, 21, Moerewa, were chosen by council staff and TUIA mentors/councillors Moko Tepania and Rachel Smith. Council chief executive Shaun Clarke said TUIA was a long-term, inter-generational programme designed to develop and enhance the contributions of rangatahi Maori within communities throughout New Zealand. The programme built a network of support for rangatahi to help them serve their communities while developing relationships with a diverse range of rangatahi (young people) across the country.
Challenge for building apprentices
NZ Certified Builders (NZCB) wants Northland's carpentry apprentices to get their entries in for the annual NZCB Apprentice Challenge Sponsored by ITM. The regional heats of the competition will be held on April 10, with great prizes up for grabs and the winner of each going on to compete for the coveted title of national champion in Wellington in June.
All apprentices who compete in the regional heats will receive a prize pack and extra prizes will be awarded to first, second and third place-getters. Regional winners also win an all-expenses-paid trip to the national final, held at the NZCB annual conference and Expo, where they will compete for the Ken Read Memorial Trophy and $50,000 worth of prizes. Held in 19 locations nationwide, the competition is open to any apprentices employed by NZCB member builders or who are enrolled with Industry Training Association Building (ITAB). Apprentices can enter by visiting https://apprenticechallenge.nz/how-to-get-involved/ and filling out the entry form. Entries must be received by next Thursday, March 26.
Bridge closures
Waka Kotahi NZ Transport Agency says the Twin Bridges and the Awarua Bridge on State Highway 15 in Northland will be closed on two separate nights next week for technical inspections. The Twin Bridges will be closed on Tuesday, from 7pm until 6am the next day. The Awarua Bridge will be closed on Wednesday, from 7pm until 6am the next day.
Local access will be possible at each end of the structures, but through traffic will not be able to cross. There are no local detours and all motorists are advised to use SH1 as an alternative route. There are roadworks on SH1 north of Hikurangi, so plan ahead and allow extra time for the journey.