Northland news in brief

Countdown's Michael Ravlich (left) and Chris George (second right) presenting Yvonne Hunter and Neil Beney (Northland DHB) with the proceeds of this year's kids' hospital appeal.

xxxxxxxxxxx
The 2017 Countdown Kids' Hospital Appeal has wrapped up with the handover of $112,158 to Northland District Health Board Child Health Services. The cheque was presented at the Countdown supermarket at Whangarei's Okara Park shopping complex, store manager Michael Ravlich and Countdown group manager for Northland Chris George handing it to Child Health Services service manager Yvonne Hunter and Health of Older People & Clinical Support general manager Neil Beney. More than 7500 children and babies are admitted to Northland's four hospitals every year, appeal proceeds enabling Maternal and Child Health Services to afford items on a 'wish list.' Past donations have been used to buy ECG machines, BiliSoft blankets, neonatal respiration monitors, PARI Sprint nebulisers, ultrasound machines, Giraffe heat tables, an OmniBed, incubator cots, trolleys, i-STAT Alinity blood sampling machines and more.

xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx

The ban on taking shellfish from the west coast has extended north to Tauroa Point at the base of Ninety Mile Beach and includes the Hokianga Harbour. The notice now applies to the west coast and harbours between Oakura, on the Taranaki coast, and Tauroa Point, and extends last week's cut off at Hokianga Harbour's south head. Samples show significantly higher than regulatory levels of paralytic shellfish poisoning (PSP) toxins. Cooking does not remove the toxin. Anyone falling ill after eating shellfish should see a doctor, phone Healthline on 0800 611-116, or in an emergency phone 111 for medical help.

xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx

From Monday Northpower will complete a helicopter survey of its main electricity lines to check for safety and vegetation issues. Northpower asks Kaipara and Whangarei residents concerned about disturbance to livestock or pets to phone Northpower Faults on 0800-10-40-40.

xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx

A car stolen from Rawene on Thursday was used in the burglary of the Kaeo BP yesterday morning. Police say about 2.30pm yesterday thieves smashed their way into the service station and attempted to take cigarettes and cash but were not successful. No one has been arrested in relation to the burglary.

xxxxxxxxxxx

A boat on a trailer parked at a Ruakaka home has been stolen. The boat was at Kepa Rd, Ruakaka, and was taken overnight on Friday, December 1. It is a 5.9m, 2015 Frewza aluminium hardtop, painted white above the water line and named "Sweet Emotions". It has a 115hp Mercury outboard motor. It was on a single axle trailer registration 1B390. If you see this boat or know where it has been taken please contact Whangarei Police on 09 430 4500 or alternatively you can call anonymously through Crimestoppers 0800 555 111.

xxxxxxxxxxxx

The roadworks on State Highway One at Waipu are now expected to finish ahead of schedule. Work to replace the final section of road between Nova Scotia Dr and Shoemaker Rd started on Wednesday and will continue through the weekend. The road will be reduced to one lane today and tomorrow. There is a detour down Nova Scotia Dr for southbound traffic but it is not suitable for heavy vehicles which will be managed through the site. The final seal will be laid, weather permitting, on Monday night. The resealing was originally scheduled to finish the weekend before Christmas.

xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx