Far North news in brief: Kaitāia mourns two stalwarts; Pink Ribbon Appeal

Far North Mayor Moko Tepania wants locals to get behind this week’s Pink Ribbon Street Appeal.

Mayors back Pink Ribbon appeal

Far North Mayor Moko Tepania and Whangārei Mayor Vince Cocurullo are encouraging locals to donate to the charity’s Pink Ribbon Street Appeal this week.

On Friday and Saturday 10,000 volunteers will be hitting the streets all over New Zealand to raise vital funds for breast cancer research, education and patient support.

“I am asking all Far Northerners to show their support for this year’s Pink Ribbon Street Appeal. I reflect on one of our whakataukī: me aro ki te hā o hineahuone - take heed the dignity of women. Breast cancer takes far too many of our Northland mums, nans, aunties and sisters. Showing support for Pink Ribbon will help the Breast Cancer Foundation save more of our wāhine toa,” Tepania said.

Donations can be made to the Pink Ribbon Street Appeal through volunteer collectors who will be out in force shaking pink buckets across Northland on October 27 and 28, or online at bcf.org.nz/streetappeal23.

Two local legends pass away

Kaitāia and the surrounding region is mourning the deaths of two local stalwarts and business icons - Eric Shackleton and Clive Patterson, who both passed away last week.

The Kaitāia Business Association would like to acknowledge the passing of the two wonderful men, who have both been incredibly influential within the business district and have contributed immensely to the wider community.

In July 1973, Eric Shackleton joined the town’s pharmacy and acquired shares in 1976, becoming the sole owner in 1979 of what became Shackleton’s Pharmacy.

Patterson came to Kaitāia in the 1960s from Wellington, met and married local girl Fay Crene and remained to serve the community for almost 60 years.

The Northland Age would like to pass on condolences to the families of both men and will have more on them in an upcoming edition.

Boatie dies during race

A person has died while racing a yacht in the Bay of Islands after they were struck by the boom.

The boom - a horizontal spar at the bottom of the mast - swung round and struck the person at 11.29pm on Friday, knocking them unconscious.

The Kokako rescue boat from the Coastguard Bay of Islands service was nearby and rushed to help the crew, who had been taking part in the Coastal Classic race from Auckland to Russell.

“Upon reaching the yacht at shortly after 0100 hours, one of our crew boarded with a medical kit, including a defibrillator,” Ayden Armitage, a member of the Kokako’s volunteer Coastguard crew, said.

“Sadly, the individual passed away.”

The Kokako then accompanied the yacht to Opua, arriving at 4am. Treatment was also provided to two other sailors on the yacht, who had sustained moderate injuries.

Five injured in crash

Five people received injuries ranging from moderate to serious following a single-vehicle crash on Kaitāia-Awaroa Rd in Ahipara yesterday.

Officers arrived at the scene at 1am on Friday morning and are investigating the crash. No further details were available at edition time.

Rest home certificate

Te Whatu Ora - Health New Zealand has extended Kerikeri Retirement Village’s rest home certification for a further four years following an “excellent” audit. The ministry said the village continued to successfully mitigate the nationwide shortage of registered nurses impacting all aged care providers. This was the third consecutive four-year extension granted to the village. Kerikeri Retirement Village chief executive Hilary Sumpter said it was a real credit to clinical nurse manager Jarrah Tuoro and the rest of the team.