A flare launches from Benjamin Charles Nunn's catamaran as police board from a small boat. In the centre is the mast of the yacht that Nunn had failed to salvage. Picture / Stephanie McMullen
The Armed Offenders' Squad from Whangārei arrested a 43-year-old man aboard his catamaran on Mangonui Harbour on Tuesday, after six hours of drama that held many spectators enthralled.
Benjamin Charles Nunn, who was living aboard the catamaran but was described by police as of no fixed abode, was charged with
two counts of possessing an offensive weapon, and one apiece of possession of cannabis, resisting police and using an explosive in an attempt to prevent lawful arrest.
He appeared in absentia in the Kaitaia District Court yesterday, and was remanded in custody until December 18.
The arrest was made after a six-hour stand-off, which the Northland Age understands had its genesis in a confrontation with Northland Regional Council staff and two Mangonui police officers on Monday.
The regional council had given Nunn six weeks, a deadline that expired on Monday, to remove a yacht he owns that had sunk in the harbour, but Nunn reportedly responded with abuse when he was reminded of that.
