Northland news in brief

NZ needs its farmers
PGG Wrightson's Northland real estate sales manager John Duder is going to Australia next week to persuade Kiwi dairy farmers it's time to come home. A few years ago, New Zealand farmers bought properties across the Tasman for half what they would pay for a similar place here. Back then the dollar was between 80c-90c against the Australian dollar. Now it is in the low 70s, meaning anyone who wants to repatriate equity in this direction should do well.
Mitimiti re-opened
A bridge damaged by torrential rain, leaving hundreds of people cut off form the outside world, has been re-opened. The southern approach to Mitimiti Bridge, on SH1 about 40km south of Cape Reinga, was washed out on Thursday night. Floods left alternative routes via Te Paki Stream and Ninety Mile Beach or via forestry roads impassable. The damaged bridge left an estimated 40 tourists and 200 locals in Te Hapua and Waitiki Landing isolated. The bridge was re-opened at 5pm on Saturday after contractors worked through the night.
Rat sparks fire
A young Northland family hadn't even finished moving in to a new rental when the house caught fire. Mangonui fire chief Peter Sainsbury said the brigade was called to a home on Mary Hassett St around 7.30pm on Sunday, when a rat chewing through cables was thought to have sparked a fire. Two crews managed to confine damage to the hall and ceiling. Mr Sainsbury said the family was lucky the house was fitted with working smoke alarms and that they were home at time, rather than picking up another load of belongings from their old address. On the same day the Mangonui brigade was called out to rescue a yacht which had broken its moorings at Mill Bay and to remove a tree which had fallen near the intersection of SH10 and Beach Rd.
Statement adopted
The Kaipara District Council adopted its Local Governance Statement 2011 and Code of Conduct Statement at its monthly meeting last week. The Local Governance Statement outlines how the council functions as an organisation and the statement is a requirement of the Local Government Act 2002. The Code of Conduct adopted as part of the Local Governance Statement set out the expectations of the manner in which elected members should conduct themselves.
RWC tickets
Fans are expected to get their Rugby World Cup tickets soon. Rugby NZ communications manager Mike Jaspers said yesterday that all ticket purchasers had been contacted by letter or email last week and told their tickets would be delivered later this month. Purchasers had opted to have their tickets delivered by mail or courier or to collect them personally from a ticket agency. Mr Jaspers said an announcement would be made in the next 14 days about plans for ticket deliveries.
43-year-old sought
Ruakaka police are looking for Jae Tutere Rangi, 43, (pictured) who is wanted for breach community detention. Police are warning Rangi should not be approached as he could be dangerous. Rangi is 1.85m tall of thin to medium build and has dreadlocks. He may be staying in the Whangarei or Ruakaka area. Anyone with information as to his whereabouts can contact Ruakaka Police on 432 7719 or call Crimestoppers, anonymously, on 0800 555 111.