Northland news in brief: North kindies lead the way with sunflower project

In Northland, 714 children from the Northland Kindergarten Association took part in the nationwide project.

Northland kindergartens came out on top of the 2025 Daltons Sunflowers in Kindergartens Project. In Northland, 714 children from the Northland Kindergarten Association took part in the nationwide project. Forest View Kindergarten in Tikipunga took the honours for the tallest sunflower at 2.49m, and Mairtown Kindergarten in Whangārei and Selwyn Park Kindergarten in Dargaville tied for first place for the widest sunflower head at 19cm. Four-year-old Taine Meehan from Kerikeri Kindergarten, who grew a 2.62m sunflower at home, won the national tallest homegrown sunflower category.

Taine Meehan, 4, from Kerikeri Kindergarten, won the homegrown award for her 2.62m sunflower.

Family raceday at Ruakaka

Families can head along to the annual fun-filled trackside event, the Trigg Family Raceday at Ruakaka Racecourse on January 6. Adults can enjoy the racing action while the kids are entertained in the free Trigg kids’ zone or by competing in the foot races on the track. There will be drinks, a variety of food options and live music from A2Stix. Gates open at 11am, with the first race at 12.50pm. Entry is $15 entry for those aged 18 years and over and the Whangārei bus to the course is free.

Kerikeri hosting film festival

The New Zealand Italian Film Festival is heading to Kerikeri’s Cathay Cinemas from January 9 to 18. Over a dozen films will be screened, including the Italian hit comedy of the year Gloria!, along with The English Patient, The Talented Mr Ripley and Il Postino. For bookings and more information visit www.cathaycinemas.co.nz

Restraint urged for holiday period

The Walk Without Fear Trust is urging New Zealanders to look out for one another and act responsibly during the post-New Year period. Chairman Eugene Bareman said the festive season is a time for connection and celebration but too often ends in preventable tragedy caused by alcohol-fuelled street violence. Bareman encouraged people, particularly men, to make decisions that ensure everyone gets home safely. The trust was established in honour of 25-year-old MMA fighter Fau Vake, who lost his life after a senseless coward-punch attack in 2021.

Tips for combating crime

Police are urging residents to take steps to ensure their homes and vehicles are well secured over the summer. Tips include locking doors and windows, recording the serial numbers of expensive electronic items and valuables and photographing them, and installing an alarm system or sensor lights. Keep garden sheds and garages locked when not in use. Security cameras can be linked to an app on your smartphone to monitor properties remotely. Note and report car registrations and descriptions of suspicious vehicles or people, as offenders will often scope out an address prior to burgling it. Anyone who witnesses suspicious activity should call police on 111. Other information can be provided to police on 105 or anonymously to Crime Stoppers on 0800 555 111.