Northland news in brief

Tania Lynn Tapsill of Kaitaia died when her car rolled near Kaiangaroa in the Far North on Saturday.

Two die in road crashes

Police have named two people killed in separate crashes in as many days in Northland. Barry Tana, 51, of Ruawai died in a crash on State Highway 12 in Matekohe on Friday. And on Saturday, on SH10 near Kaiangaroa, 45-year-old Tania Lynn Tapsill of Kaitaia died after her car rolled. Police are investigating both accidents.

Conservation boost

Bream Bay Conservation Trust has received a $300,000 grant over three years from Foundation North.

Ranger Adam Willetts said it was a huge boost to the trustees who had put in many hours of work behind the scenes to secure the important fund. Although the trust saw Foundation North as a long-term partner, Mr Willetts said, the team was working to develop more sustainable funds so it could plan future projects with more security and confidence.

Rural health scholarship

Northland woman working in the health sector in rural communities are invited to apply for a national scholarship to further their studies. Entries close on July 1 for the Rural Women New Zealand and Access Community Health scholarship programme, worth $3000.

The scholarship represents the ongoing relationship between Access, now part of the Green Cross Health group, and its founding organisation, Rural Women New Zealand.
Preference will be given to applicants who are studying at post-graduate level. Past recipients have ranged from paramedics to nurse practitioners. www.ruralwomen.org.nz or www.access.org.nz.

Trapper's body found

Police have formally identified the body of a man found in rugged Mid North bush last week as David Dave Harding, 50. Mr Harding was a possum trapper who lived on a large block of family land near Taheke.

He had not been seen for some time when family reported him missing last Wednesday. His body was located in remote bush later that day after family members found his horse.

Sergeant Phil Le Comte, of Kerikeri police, said a specialist police search and rescue team from Whangarei, backed up by Far North LandSAR volunteers, were able to recover the body that night.

Mr Le Comte said police were still awaiting results of a post-mortem examination but at this stage it appeared there was nothing suspicious about his death.