Northland news in brief

Whangarei District Court

Daylight savings end

Northlanders are in for an extra hour of sleep on Sunday morning when daylight saving ends. The clocks will go back an hour at 3am on Sunday - so that it becomes 2am - bringing an end to summer time.People may find it convenient to put their clocks back by one hour before going to bed on Saturday. Daylight saving for the next warm season begins on September 24.

Writing seminar

George Bryant, a former Whangarei Girls High School principal and Whangarei City councillor, will run a writing seminar in Whangarei on Saturday April 8. The seminar, which will discuss the importance and power of writing from a Christian world view, is at St John's Golden Church, Kamo Rd. People wanting to attend can contact Janice Gillgren on 09 433 9752.

Carjacking charges

A man allegedly involved in a carjacking in Whangarei has yet to enter pleas.
Rameka Hape, 35, is in custody and will reappear in the Whangarei District Court on April 10 via audio visual link. He is facing three charges of aggravated assault, two of attempting to take a motor vehicle, and single charges of injuring with intend to injure, unlawful taking of a motor vehicle, failing to stop, reckless driving, and resisting arrest. Hape allegedly jumped into a car at the Paramount Parade shopping centre in Tikipunga on February 10 while the vehicle owners, an elderly couple, were loading groceries. He then allegedly led police on a pursuit through Kamo, along Three Mile Bush Rd into Church Rd and on to Pipiwai Rd where the car was spiked.

Paintball guilty pleas

A Raumanga man has pleaded guilty to some charges relating to shooting six people with a paintball gun. Shane Paraha, 18, has admitted five charges of assault with a weapon but has yet to plead on a charge of wounding with intent to injure. A young woman suffered a serious eye injury in the alleged shooting. Paraha has been remanded on bail to reappear on April 19.

Singer in Whangarei

Christchurch classical/crossover singer Rebecca Nelson will perform in Whangarei next week on the release date of her debut album, Poppies & Pohutukawa. Nelson, 29, is dedicating her life to keeping the memories of veterans alive and is will perform at Ryman Retirement Villages around the country. Nelson will sing at Jane Mander Retirement Village on Friday April 7.