Northland news in brief, airport meetings and charity collectors wanted

Public meetings are being held next week to inform people of plans for a new terminal at Bay of Islands airport, at Kerikeri, above.

Airport meetings scheduled

Public meetings have been called in Kaikohe and Kerikeri next week to brief Bay of Islands airport users about the design of the new terminal and what to expect during construction. The meetings will start at 5pm at the Kaikohe RSA on Monday and the Turner Centre in Kerikeri on Tuesday. Work on the $4.75 million project is expected to start in April, with the building currently used by the Bay of Islands Aero Club serving as a temporary terminal during construction.

Collectors needed

The Child Cancer Foundation is calling for volunteers to lend a hand for its street collection in Northland on Friday and Saturday March 16-17. Anyone with some time to spare is invited to register at www.childcancer.org.nz, or call 0800 424-453 to be connected with the local organiser.

Boat rolls at Mangonui

The Mangonui Fire Brigade and Far North Radio and Sea rescue volunteers did their best to pump out a boat off Butler Point, Mangonui, last week, but were unable to do so. The boat, moored in shallow water, rolled on to its side as the tide fell, according to police, and filled with water. It was successfully salvaged later in the day.

Monster bike trek

Another cyclist is about to begin riding the length of the country, but with a difference. Epilepsy NZ Ambassador Tim Chittock will set off from Cape Reinga on Monday, aiming at reaching Bluff by the Friday. He will endeavour to ride night and day, averaging 27km an hour, and 525km a day.

World kids quiz coming

The world's biggest literary event for children is coming to Northland, as local super-readers join more than 8000 children worldwide to compete for the title of Kids' Lit Quiz champion 2018. The Northland heat takes place at Kerikeri Primary School on Tuesday. March 6 from 10am to 1pm, and involves around 100 Northland students.

The Kids' Lit Quiz is an annual international literature quiz for students aged 10-13 years, with the goal of encouraging children to read for pleasure, widening the breadth of their reading and celebrating their content knowledge. It is a unique literary event in the English-speaking world and demand for it increases every year.