Several memorial services have been cancelled today. Photo / John Stone
Several memorial services have been cancelled today. Photo / John Stone
All but one of seven planned council-run memorial services today across the Far North for the victims of the Christchurch terror attacks have been cancelled on the advice of police. Far North District Council was to have held events in Kaitaia, Kerikeri, Kaikohe, Kawakawa, Russell, Opononi and Broadwood, withlive broadcasts of the National Memorial Service at Hagley Park. Due to continued high threat levels only the Kerikeri event, from 10am at the Turner Centre on Cobham Rd, will still go ahead.
Three on rioting charges
Three more men have appeared in court in relation to rioting on a Whangārei street. James Herbert, 54, Poasa Rankin, 28 and Kalani Petera, 19, have all appeared on a charge of rioting and have been remanded on bail to April 10. Four other men all from William Jones Dr in Otangarei have previously been charged. A senior police officer was allegedly assaulted and police vehicles damaged during the riot on March 9. Police said the riot happened after a domestic incident and then the stabbing of a man at a house on William Jones Drive.
Lotto winners
Five lucky Lotto players will be celebrating after each winning $200,000 with Lotto First Division last night including some one who bought their ticket in Whangārei. The winning tickets were sold at the following stores Sunnyside Foodmarket -Whangarei, Lincoln Rd Dairy - Auckland, Glen Innes Dairy and Lotto Outlet - Auckland, Brookfield Foodmart and Lotto - Tauranga and New World Motueka. Powerball was not struck and has rolled over to Saturday night, where the jackpot will be $8 million.
A Bay of Islands-wide mufti day started by a 10-year-old girl has raised more than $1000 for the victims of the Christchurch terror attacks. Kaia Derbyshire, of Bay of Islands International Academy in Te Tii, asked her schoolmates to dress in white as a symbol of peace last week Wednesday and bring a gold coin donation. Another 12 schools joined in, raising more than $1000 which will go to the victims' families via a Victim Support appeal. Cards made by the children and photos of all schools involved will also be sent to Christchurch's Muslim community.
