Northland news in brief

A mother and her son injured in this fiery crash in Moerewa over Labour Weekend are still in hospital recovering.

Crash victims still in hospital

A mother and young boy critically injured in a crash in Moerewa during Labour weekend are continuing to recover in hospital. Police said the woman, 33, was recovering well after undergoing significant surgery at Auckland City Hospital, while the 4-year-old boy was in a stable condition at Starship Hospital.

The other children, aged 7 and 9, had been discharged but one was re-admitted on Tuesday for further treatment. The Auckland family, with close ties to the Far North, had been driving home on October 21 when their car was struck by an out-of-control BMW travelling at high speed in the opposite direction. The other driver, a 31-year-old man from Moerewa, fled the scene but handed himself in the next morning. Police expect to lay charges soon.

Car set alight

A car that demolished a concrete power pole at Pukepoto on Saturday night has been finished off by an arsonist. The Kaitaia Fire Brigade was roused at 12.07am yesterday, but it was a lost cause. According to police the registration plates had been removed some time earlier.

Historic garden open

One of New Zealand's most historic gardens will be open to the public from 10am to 4pm on Sunday. The Retreat, the house built on what is now State Highway 1 at Pakaraka, opposite the Holy Trinity Church, by missionary Henry Williams and his wife in 1850 still stands, and the garden is little changed. Admission will cost adults $5, children free. Park by the church, and cross the highway with care.

Kiwi origins

The young adult kiwi now settled and breeding in the Pukenui Western Hills were sourced from Motuora Island in the Hauraki Gulf. A Northern Advocate article about the first kiwi to hatch after the birds' release in March incorrectly said they were from Matakohe Limestone Island in Whangārei Harbour. Pukenui Western Hills Forest Trust chairwoman Tanya Cook said the birds from Motuora were older than those raised at the local island creche and were selected for their health and size as well as being close to breeding age.

Two-car crash

One lane of State Highway 10 was blocked but no one was injured after a two-car crash near the Gull service station at Waipapa yesterday. The crash, about 11.45am, occurred when one vehicle slowed to turn left into a auto workshop and another drove into the back of it. The Kerikeri Fire Brigade helped police with traffic control until the road was cleared.

Consents deadline looms

Anyone needing consent, permission or licences from Whangārei District Council for events or activities over the summer holidays has until November 22 to get their applications in. Several government acts have statutory close-down periods in summer and during these, processing goes on hold. Applications must be lodged in time to be processed before they close down.

The council is urging people to get their applications in for events happening in or shortly after this period to ensure their project stays on track. Contact the council on 430 4200 to discuss anything you might be applying for and to check the timeframes that apply to you.