Northland news in brief: Free Bay of Islands course teaches key kayak safety skills

The KayakSafe NZ workshops run by the Kiwi Association of Sea Kayakers help all types of paddlers stay safe on the water.

The Kiwi Association of Sea Kayakers is running a free kayaking safety workshop in the Bay of Islands next month. The workshops aim to help paddlers on any type of kayak learn how to be safe on the water and avoid getting into trouble. They are made possible by Safer Boating Forum funding support from Maritime NZ. The workshop will be held at Waitangi on February 22, but free online courses are also available. Go to kask.co.nz and look up KayakSafe NZ under “events” for further details and to register.

Firefighters’ strike off

The Professional Firefighters Union have cancelled tomorrow’s strike because of ongoing work in storm-hit areas across the North Island. The strike was scheduled to be for one hour from 12pm.

Crash victim dies

A person died on the way to hospital after they were critically injured in a crash at the intersection of State Highway 15 and McCathie Rd, Ruakākā, yesterday morning. The Serious Crash Unit attended and the circumstances of the crash are being investigated.

Push over health data breach

The Privacy Commissioner is pushing for strong incentives against cyber-criminals in the Manage My Health data breach. Michael Webster has unveiled the initial terms of reference for his inquiry into the data breach affecting 127,000 users that came to light early this month. The first phase will focus on the scale of the breach, its impacts, and Manage My Health’s responsibilities and safeguards. Webster told Newstalk ZB he was concerned nothing would come from his recommendations on how to prevent a repeat of such a breach. He says that unlike other privacy regulators around the world, New Zealand’s privacy watchdog cannot seek financial penalties or fines for those who don’t do enough to protect our personal information.

Heritage sites free to visit

Five Northland heritage destinations cared for by Heritage New Zealand Pouhere Taonga will be open to the public for free on Waitangi Day. They are the Kerikeri Mission Station (10am - 5pm); Clendon House in Rāwene (10am - 4pm); Māngungu Mission in Horeke (10am - 4pm); Pompallier Mission in Kororāreka/Russell (10am - 5pm) and Te Waimate Mission (10am - 5pm.