Northland news in brief: Schoolgirl's Christchurch fundraiser and security firm burgled

A fundraiser for the victims of the mosque terror attacks by Kaia Derbyshire, centre, has raised more than $1340.

A fundraising initiative started by a 10-year-old Far North girl has raised $1340.50 for victims of the March 15 terror attacks in Christchurch. Kaia Derbyshire, a Year 6 pupil at Bay of Islands International Academy at Te Tii, in the Bay of Islands, asked her schoolmates to wear white as a symbol of peace and give a gold coin donation. She then asked her principal to invite other Bay of Islands schools to take part. In total 13 schools and kura kaupapa joined in along with a children's music group. The money has been forwarded to Victim Support in Christchurch. Photos of all the students who took part, along with cards and messages, have been sent to the Victim Support co-ordinator based at Christchurch police station to be passed on to the city's Muslim community.

Security cameras stolen

A Whangārei business selling security cameras has been broken into twice in less than a week with thousands of dollars worth of camera equipment stolen. Police said Jaycar Electronics Whangārei on Porowini Ave was broken into Tuesday last week and then again on Sunday night when the front window was smashed to gain entry. About $10,000 worth of cameras were taken in the two burglaries.

Jones to give PGF talk

Regional Development Minister Shane Jones is giving a talk about the Provincial Growth Fund to his home crowd in Kerikeri this Friday. The presentation, which will be followed by a question and answer session, will start at 6pm in the Turner Centre's Theatre Bar on Cobham Rd. Organiser Frank Edwards, New Zealand First's Northland electorate chairman, said a similar event in Russell last November drew about 200 people. ''People are pretty interested in seeing what the PGF is doing in their area. I think the man's got something to say and he's pretty damn entertaining,'' Edwards said. So far Northland has received $130 million from the PGF. The most recent announcements include $3m for a sea wall at Opononi and $18.5m for irrigation projects in the Mid North and Kaipara.

Focus on Kerikeri's future

A new community group encouraging Kerikeri residents to get involved in shaping the town's future will have its second public meeting at the Turner Centre from 7pm this evening. At tonight's meeting four focus groups concentrating on different elements of Kerikeri's future development (economic, environmental, social and cultural) will be set up. A leadership group and initial ''placemaking'' or town improvement projects are also likely to be announced. Provisionally called Our Kerikeri, the group is modelled on Focus Paihia, a community trust which has unified and beautified the once fractious tourist town. An estimated 320 people attended the Kerikeri group's first meeting last month. Go to www.kerikeriourtown.co.nz for more information.

Top Energy trust moves

Ken Rintoul and Bruce Mathieson have been reappointed as trustees to the Top Energy Consumer Trust. Trust chairwoman Yvonne Sharp welcomed the decision from the Selection Panel for the reappointment of the pair for another four-year term to the Top Energy Consumer Trust. The appointment of trustees is made by a selection panel made up of Far North MPs Matt King and Kelvin Davis, and the chairman of Northland Regional Council, Bill Shepherd. They select the required number of new trustees from a shortlist prepared by an independent personal consultant. They join the continuing three trustees - Sharp, Ann Court and Hugh Ammundsen - who will retire on March 31, 2021.