Northland news in brief: man charged with murder and two win Lotto 1st Division

A Northland man has been charged with murder in relation to the death of Hamuera Wilson at the Otaika Accommodation Park, above, on October 21. Photo / Tania Whyte

Murder charged laid

A Northland man has been arrested and charged with murder in relation to the death of a Hamuera Wilson in Whangārei. Twenty-three year-old Wilson arrived at the Otaika Accommodation Park at around 12.30am on October 21 with critical chest injuries. At the time, police said the injuries were believed to be from a stabbing. Despite attempts to revive Wilson he died at the scene. The 29-year-old Northland man who has been charged with murder appeared in Whangārei District Court on Saturday. He was remanded in custody to reappear on November 22.

Two win first division

Two lotto tickets sold in Northland were among five to win $200,000 each in Saturday's Lotto draw. The winning Lotto first division tickets were sold at Countdown Kerikeri and Onerahi Bookshop & Lotto, Kaukapakapa Store, Mitchell's Paper Power in Auckland and Winton New World. Powerball was not struck and will roll over to Wednesday with a jackpot of $10 million. Strike Four also rolled over and will be $300,000 on Wednesday. The winning numbers from Saturday's draw were: 01, 07, 22, 23, 29 and 36. The bonus was 18 and powerball was 02.

Four crews fight blaze

Firefighters from three urban brigades plus a rural fire crew spent more than four hours fighting one of the most serious vegetation fires so far this spring in the Mid North. It is believed the blaze started about 4.40pm on Thursday when a fire lit by tree contractors jumped into a hedgerow on Orangewood Rd, with high winds quickly spreading it through the crowns of the trees and blowing embers into a second row of trees on the other side of the orchard. Kerikeri fire chief Les Wasson said about 90m of hedgerow was involved with appliances and tankers responding from Kerikeri, Okaihau and Kawakawa as well as Kaikohe-based Rural Fire. A digger was used to pull down trees to stop the flames spreading any further. The volunteers got back to the station about 9pm.

Teacher bargaining starts

Facilitated bargaining for primary school teachers and principals will begin today with the Chief of the Employment Relations Authority James Crichton. The bargaining comes after NZEI members voted to walk off the job in a series of rolling strikes this month. When the strikes were announced the Ministry of Education said this process will facilitate reaching settlements for primary principals and primary teachers

Helicopter needed at scrub fire

A helicopter was called to help fight a 30ha scrub fire in Kaingaroa which kept fire crews busy for two days. Crews were called to the fire at Kaingaroa, near State Highway 10 on Friday at around 6.45pm. A Fire and Emergency spokesperson said "several" ground crews were called to the fire, along with the helicopter. He said reduced crews remained on scene overnight on Friday, carrying out mostly observational work. The fire was on terrain that was difficult to access. All crews had left the scene by around midnight on Saturday.

Orion helps vessel in distress

A New Zealand Defence Force P-3K2 Orion came to the aid of a fishing boat in distress in rough seas 1000km north of North Cape early on Saturday. The boat was taking on water and its emergency beacon had been activated. The Orion remained in the area while a nearby container ship headed towards the fishing boat to offer more assistance.