Northland news in brief: alleged Maunu arsonist remanded in custody and Seaweek's coming

Neighbours watch firefighters at the Maunu Rd fire which destroyed the front of a Housing New Zealand house converted into two flats last Friday. Photo / Lindy Laird

Man appears in Whangārei District Court after starting fire

A man accused of starting a fire that badly damaged a Whangārei home then running round the neighbourhood with a knife has been remanded in custody. Makarini Tupe appeared in Whangārei District Court yesterday charged with wilfully setting fire to a property and endangering life, kidnapping, possession of an offensive weapon and threatening to kill. The charges relate to an incident on Maunu Rd, Whangārei on February 22. Tupe was remanded in custody to reappear in the court on March 13.

All things marine at Seaweek

Seaweek 2019 kicks off on Saturday, with around 200 events and a number of competitions. National co-ordinator Dr Mels Barton was delighted by the response to this year's event. "We are getting more groups organising events every year, and many more repeating events year after year," she said. "It's great to have so many opportunities around the country for families to learn about the amazing marine environment we have in New Zealand and how to protect it." For more details go to www.seaweek.org.nz.

No burglary at kohanga reo

Police were unable to find any evidence to support suspicions that the kohanga reo at Mangamuka had been burgled earlier this week. A couple of windows had been broken, a spokesman said, but the prime suspects for that were cows that may have leaned on them a little too heavily.

Arson sentencing awaits

A Northland man will be sentenced next month for a spate of arsons in the Kaipara.
Andrew Lee Searle, 21, pleaded guilty to 10 charges of arson in the Whangārei District Court and has been remanded to reappear in the court on March 22 for sentencing. The charges in the Kaipara area related to the destruction of conservation land and a forest. Some of the fires burnt for days and caused major damage.