Police are appealing for information about a campervan break-in early yesterday morning. Sergeant Kevin Milne, of Mid North police, said the crime took place on Richardson St about 3am on Friday. The owner was a visitor to the Bay of Islands and away on a sailing trip so police did not yet know exactly what had been stolen. The van had been moved to a secure location until the owner returned and was able to repair the damage. A forensic examination had been carried out. Police wantto hear from anyone with information about a dark-coloured station wagon seen in Opua around the same time. The three men in the vehicle were also seen walking near the general store. Call the Kerikeri station on (90) 407 3287 or Crimestoppers, anonymously, on 0800 555 111 with any information.
Civic Award nominations open
Whangārei District Council staff are eagerly anticipating a rush of Civic Honour Award nominations as the May 1 deadline for this year's awards looms. Sandra Boardman, general manager of the council's Community, Strategic Leadership Team, said every year those making nominations tend to use up all the time available to make sure they put together the best nomination they can. In the past nominees skills have covered a vast array of services and interests including music, surf lifesaving, working with young people, getting women into outdoor pursuits and looking after an island. With a few days left to get nominations in, punters can find out how to put someone's name forward by visiting wdc.govt.nz. Boardman said nominations must be supported by at least two people and should include as much detail as possible.
Civil Defence the topic of forum
The experiences of high-profile emergencies throughout New Zealand will come under the spotlight at Northland's annual Civil Defence Emergency Management Forum in Whangārei next week. The event is being held at Forum North and attendees include members of the emergency services, welfare agencies, lifelines utilities, councils and community civil defence groups. It is also open to interested members of the general public, at no cost. Kim Abbott, Northland Civil Defence Emergency Management Group spokesperson, said the keynote speakers this year include Wally Mitchell, who had only relocated from Northland three weeks earlier to take up his new role as Canterbury district operations manager for St John Ambulance when he found himself co-ordinating the emergency medical response to the Christchurch terror attacks; Michele Poole, who had a key role in public/media communication during the Pigeon Valley Fires in Nelson; and Damian Southorn and Julian Young of Refining NZ on the response to the rupture of the jet fuel pipeline to Auckland in 2017. The lineup also includes a range of other local speakers. The event runs from 9am to 1pm. Although it is free, people intending to come along need to register in advance at www.nrc.govt.nz/cdemforum
