Northland news in brief: Four to contest Bay of Islands-Whangaroa Community Board byelection

Whangarei residents who usually have their rubbish and recycling collected on Friday will instead have it collected on Saturday. Photo/File

No Friday paper

There will be no Northern Advocate published tomorrow on Good Friday.
We wish all our readers a safe, happy Easter and we'll be back in letterboxes and newstands on Saturday. There will be a paper published on Easter Monday.

Board nominees

Four people have put their hands up to contest the Bay of Islands-Whangaroa Community Board byelection in May. Nominations for the vacancy in the Kawakawa-Moerewa subdivision, caused when Kelly Stratford was elected to the Far North District Council last month, closed at noon yesterday.

The candidates are Lucie Green, James McDonald, Gray Phillips and Manuwai Wells. Voters in the Kawakawa-Moerewa area will receive postal voting papers starting May 2. Completed voting forms can be returned by post or dropped off at the council's Kawakawa Service Centre from May 2 until noon on May 24. If you are not on the electoral roll call 0800 ENROL NOW or go to www.elections.org.nz to enrol online.

Rubbish collection

There will be no kerbside rubbish or recycling collection in Whangarei tomorrow as it is Good Friday. Residents who usually have their rubbish and recycling picked up on Friday will instead have their rubbish collected on Saturday, March 31. There is no change to the pick-up schedule on Easter Monday, collections will be as usual. All transfer stations will be closed tomorrow.

Coastal patrol safety day

Ahipara Coastal Patrol is having education days on Saturday and Sunday at Ahipara. The group will have a stall on Ahipara reserve on Foreshore Rd from 10am to 5pm each day. The event will also be a fundraiser with drinks and food stall, raffles and giveaways. The messages will be about road and beach safety education issues.