Northland news in brief: Rescue helicopter appeal, Michael Hurst brings Shakespeare north

More than $30,000 was raised for the Northland Emergency Services Trust. Photo / Peter de Graaf

Chopper appeal hits $34k

The Westpac Chopper Appeal has raised $34,034.34 for the Northland Emergency Services Trust. Westpac general manager consumer banking and wealth, Simon Power says the total is due to the hard work and dedication of Westpac staff, the volunteers and everyone who has given so generously again this year. Northland Emergency Services Trust CEO Pete Turnbull said the service was continually overwhelmed by the generosity of the Northland community and could not be prouder to be part of it. "We would like to thank every person and group who supported our trust during the chopper appeal. Every donation helps us keep on top of our operational expenditure and ensures that we keep operating long into the future."

Council worker's legacy

A regional council worker has retired after 17 years of work which included creating a dairy effluent reduction model said to go easy on the environment and the pocket. Dennis Wright hung up his Northland Regional Council gumboots in late June, leaving behind trial results showing Northland dairy farmers can dramatically slash effluent volumes. A range of initiatives promoted by Wright also helped improve water quality, as well as reduce farms' water use and associated discharges of treated effluent to water.

No holds bard

Northland audiences should be prepared and primed for a tour de force of Shakespeare in which Arts Laureate Michael Hurst battles with some of the Bard's most demented creations. In No Holds Bard, driven to the brink by the infidelity of his wife and a lack of acting jobs, an ageing thespian confronts his demons.

The problem is, his demons are as crazy as he is. Hurst plays the actor whose mind is messed with by a foul-mouthed Macbeth, a confused Hamlet, a know-it-all Othello, and a really hungry Lear. No Holds Bard, supported by Arts on Tour NZ, will end a national tour in Whangārei on August 31, at The Riverbank Centre, $30 tickets from Storytime, Reyburn House Lane, or www.whangareitheatrecompany.org.nz

School burglaries similar

Police believe the same person or persons was/were responsible for the burgling of Kaingaroa and Pamapuria schools last week. Nothing was taken from the former, but cash was taken at Pamapuria. Glass doors were smashed to gain entry to both schools.

Chase ends in arrest

A 29-year-old Auckland man was arrested on an outstanding warrant for driving while disqualified last week, after he complained to police that he had been chased from Taipa to Kerikeri, where he ran out of gas, by another car and a motorcyclist armed with a gun. He claimed he had reached speeds of up to 160km/h in his efforts to get away.