Northland news in brief, rare parrot spotted and Kaipara mayoralty voting packs going out

A rare kakariki, or red-crowned parakeet, similar to this, has been seen in Opua State Forest.

Rare parakeet spotted

A rare kakariki, or red-crowned parakeet, has been seen in the pest control area of Opua State Forest. Volunteers from Bay Bush Action, which is working to wipe out pests and bring back native wildlife in the hills behind Paihia, said it was probably the first kakariki sighting in the area in more than 100 years.

In June last year 40 of the locally extinct birds were re-introduced to Moturua Island near Russell, where pests were eradicated in 2009.

Kaipara byelection

Voting packs for the Kaipara Council mayoral byelection will be delivered by post to voters starting on Friday. There are eight candidates running for the job. Anyone who believes they are eligible to vote but do not receive papers by Thursday, February 1 should contact the electoral office for a special vote 0800 922 822.

Two teens arrested

Two teenagers, aged 16 and 17, have been arrested after allegedly stealing cash from one address in Kaitaia in the early hours of Monday morning and trying, unsuccessfully, to take a car from another. Police were yesterday looking for one more offender.

Car a write-off

Neither the driver nor his adult male passenger were injured when a car left State Highway 1 at Pamapuria about 3am on Sunday and crashed into a power pole. According to police the vehicle was damaged beyond repair.

Vehicle burnt out

A Volvo station wagon stolen from Kawakawa last week was found on Friday burnt out by the beach at Beaufort St near Opua. The fire had spread into nearby shrubs and trees. Police inquiries are continuing.