Northland news in brief, power line danger and leadership workshop

Far North power company Top Energy says putting shipping containers and other structures beneath powerlines is dangerous.

Too close warning

Far North power company Top Energy is warning people not to place shipping containers and other structures under the power lines as they pose a serious public safety risk.Tony Smallman, Top Energy's Network Operations Manager, said the company has become increasingly concerned about the numbers of containers placed under it's power lines. "Shipping containers are becoming popular for use as secure storage sheds and a multitude of other purposes. However, when they are placed under or close to powerlines, they raise significant concerns for public safety." Smallman said that despite safety campaigns being carried out, informing people to contact their powerlines company for advice on "how close is too close", some people are placing containers, buildings and other structures too close to powerlines without approval.

Leadership workshops

Te Puni Kōkiri, with Wayfinding Leadership Ltd, will host a series of Wayfinding Leadership workshops for Māori SMEs and Māori tourism operators next week, beginning with looking at the Core Wayfinding Leadership approach, followed by a session on the tourism industry. Venues will be Waitangi on Monday , the Hokianga on Tuesday, Kaitaia on Wednesday and Whangārei on Thursday. For details, and/or to secure a place, phone Shannon Edmonds Tito on (09) 430-3731 or (027) 403-4002 by tomorrow afternoon.

Native bus protection

A small rural school in Northland now has the resources to trap pests after winning a competition. Tangiterōria School, half way between Whangārei and Dargaville, has won $500 in a competition in conjunction with KiwiNorth, Kiwi Coast and Enviroschools. A ceremony will be held at the school next month and the school intends to use the traps in its native bush block.

Correction

A story that ran in the Northern Advocate on May 7 read: "The annual salary of teacher aides is between $35,000 and $50,000". The correct figure should have been between $16,500 and $18,000 a year. Teacher aides earn $16,500 based on the minimum hourly rate of $16.50 for working 25 hours per week and 40 weeks a year. Those getting $18 an hour earn $18,000 per year.