Northland news in brief

Northland's checkout operators will test their skills against each other next week.

Checkout operator test

The Northland regional Checkout Operator of the Year competition will be held at Forum North, Whangārei, on Tuesday . The competition will feature the top checkout operators from supermarkets cross Northland - New World Regent, Pak'nSave Whangārei, New World Onerahi, Pak'nSave Kaitaia, New World Kerikeri, Four Square Wellsford and New World Kaikohe. The competition starts at 6pm, with competitors on stage scanning more than 30 items as fast as possible while staying friendly and composed. They are judged by a team of 10 senior Foodstuffs staff on their speed, presentation, customer service and accuracy. Their supporters are dressed up in colourful outrageous themed outfits, with this year's theme being 'blast from the past' to celebrate the 70th anniversary of the competition, cheering them on with banners, chants and store mascots.

Readership increases

The Northern Advocate is now officially the second largest NZME provincial newspaper in the country after increasing its readership. In the latest Nielsen readership survey the Northern Advocate's readership has risen from 29,000 a year ago to 32,000 now. This has seen the Advocate overtake Bay or Plenty Times (31,000) as NZME's second most read regional paper behind Hawkes Bay Today (50,000). The Advocate's results reflects the strong local content the newspaper produces, but it would not be possible without our loyal readers, who we try to represent and advocate for as best as we can. NZME's regional papers reach 151,000 people on a typical day and 260,000 across a week. The NZ Herald's readership is up 8 per cent year-on-year - now reaching 459,000 people.

Police volunteers recognised

Volunteers at the Whangārei police station were given a morning tea at the station yesterday to thank them for their excellent work. The shared morning tea was part of National Volunteer Week. There are 1.2 million Kiwis who volunteer in New Zealand communities every year across the country.

Gallery damaged by flood

A Kerikeri art gallery has been again been damaged by flooding, just 10 days after a leaky roof was replaced. Ian McConnachie said he had to close Masterpieces Gallery in Kerikeri's clocktower building for six days after heavy rain over Queen's Birthday weekend gushed into the gallery and collapsed part of the ceiling. The leak occurred after the roofers left flashings off while, McConnachie said, they were called away to another job for a few weeks. The owner of the Wellington-based company, however, said the job had to be put on hold because the weather made it too dangerous. The flashings were replaced and the job completed last Sunday but rain entered once again in the downpour of June 20-21, flooding the gallery and bringing down more ceiling tiles. McConnachie said he had to disconnect the power and close the gallery at least until Monday. The company promised to return yesterday to fix the leaks and clean up the damage inside the gallery.

Awareness seminar

A free Macular Degeneration awareness and education seminar is being held in Whangārei next Saturday. Macular Degeneration is the most common cause of blindness in people over 50 years of age in New Zealand and 1 in 7 people will get this chronic eye disease and 1 in 4 people over age 80 will experience vision loss. Understanding more about this age-related eye disease is vital for ensuring independence and a good quality of life in old age. Northland ophthalmologist, Dr David Dalziel, will share the latest information on treatments and the management of Macular Degeneration at the seminar, at Distinction Whangārei Hotel & Conference Centre from 10am to 11.30am on June 30.

Wrack St road works

The intersection from Wrack St to Lupton Ave in Whangārei will be closed from Monday.This is to enable continuation of works on the Kamo Shared Path. The rail crossing on Wrack St will be modified to provide for pedestrian and cyclist access onto Lupton Ave and will be permanently closed to vehicular traffic.

Minor sewerage spill

The failure of a join in a concrete lined steel pipe at the Woods Rd bridge caused a minor sewerage spill on Tuesday. Less than one cubic metre of raw sewerage was spilt. Whangārei District Council notified Northland District Health Board and Northland Regional Council of the spill. As a result of the of the broken line, sewerage was being pumped directly out of a holding tank on Carruth St.