Northland news in brief, kiwi killer yet to be found and NRC deliberates LTP

The Department of Conservation is still waiting to see if DNA testing has identified the dog responsible for a spate of kiwi killings in the Bay of Islands.

DNA test to determine kiwi killer

The Department of Conservation is still waiting to see if DNA testing has identified the dog responsible for a spate of kiwi killings in the Bay of Islands.

Yesterday a spokeswoman said ''inquiries are ongoing'' regarding the dog saliva samples taken after six dead kiwi were found in the Purerua Peninsula, in the northern Bay of Islands, in late February. DoC staff took saliva from the bird carcasses as well as from nine local dogs to see if the DNA matched.

Purerua Peninsula is known for high numbers of kiwi and it was feared at the time more kiwi could have been killed, their bodies yet to be found. DoC Bay of Islands manager Rolien Elliot said the killings were a surprise because Purerua residents were passionate about local wildlife and normally kept their dogs under control.

Cemetery award

Whangarei senior cemetery operator Hayden Parr has received an individual excellence award from the Cemeteries and Crematoria Collective of New Zealand. He was recognised for his leadership, putting Maunu Cemetery up for a Green Flag award and co-ordinating his team to achieve all the behind the scenes and system work required to succeed. Maunu Cemetery has been awarded international Green Flag accreditation. It is one of only two cemeteries in New Zealand to reach this standard, with the other in Auckland. Parihaka Reserve also picked up its fourth Green Flag award.

Long Term Plan deliberations

Northland Regional Councillors will this week deliberate their Long Term Plan document, including public submissions. The plan attracted more than 2200 submissions on a number of issues, including water, pests and flood infrastructure funding. The meeting of NRC Councillors tomorrow will be open to the public but members of the public won't be able to actively take part, including commenting or asking questions. The council is proposing an average rates increase of 29 per cent, excluding targeted levies on local transport and flooding.

Doubtless Bay couple charged with drug offences

A Doubtless Bay couple who police say tried to courier 17 grams of cannabis to an Auckland address last week have been charged with cultivating cannabis, possessing and possessing the drug for supply. Police found 317 grams of bud material at their home, along with 11 cannabis plants in a "grow room".

Clarification:

A story that ran in the Northern Advocate on Monday read: "The highly addictive drug methamphetamine has spread its tentacles across New Zealand, and reducing supply needed to be a focus for authorities, says the manager of a drug education business." It should have read "reducing demand".