Far North news in brief: New citizens; power cut investigation; and infrastructure funding

Far North District Mayor/Kahika Moko Tepania with some of the 45 Far North residents who were sworn in as NZ citizens at a ceremony in Kaikohe last week.

New citizens welcomed

Far North District Council held a citizenship ceremony for 45 people who recently became New Zealand citizens. The ceremony at Memorial Hall in Kaikohe was officiated by Far North District Mayor Moko Tepania, assisted by Deputy Mayor Kelly Stratford. About 60 whānau and friends were on hand to see loved ones complete their citizenship journey. The new citizens came from more than 20 countries, including England, Wales, France, India, South Africa, Colombia, the United States, and Russia.

Infrastructure funding

Northland councils, iwi, businesses and community organisations with infrastructure projects that support regional priorities are invited to apply for funding from the Regional Infrastructure Fund, which opened yesterday.

The fund will drive regional productivity, prosperity and resilience by focusing on two key investment categories: resilience infrastructure to improve regions’ ability to absorb, adapt and respond to stresses and shocks, and enabling infrastructure to support growth by ensuring regions are well connected and productive.

In Budget 2024, the Government announced the first projects to be funded through the fund would be an initial $200 million for flood resilience infrastructure. For more information go to https://www.growregions.govt.nz/new-funding/regional-infrastructure-fund/

Firearm discharged

Police received a report of a person allegedly discharging a firearm in Peras Rd, Waimā, west of Kaikohe, about 12.40pm on Saturday. Police are making inquiries into the matter.

Power investigation

The Electricity Authority has been given three months to investigate Northland’s widespread power cut on June 20, including determining how it can be prevented from recurring. Energy Minister Simeon Brown came to Northland the day after 100,000 properties lost power when a transmission tower toppled over, and announced a full review would be done by the electricity regulator. The terms of reference for the investigation have now been released, with 16 points that include Transpower’s risk identification, and whether grid reliability standards need to be improved. After the power cut, Transpower revealed a contractor doing routine maintenance removed the nuts securing the tower to the ground on three out of four legs, causing the pylon to fall.

Fleeing vehicle

Charges are being considered after a vehicle fled from police in Kaikohe on Saturday. Police signalled the vehicle to stop on State Highway 1, Kaikohe, about 7pm. When the vehicle did not stop, road spikes were deployed and successfully brought the vehicle to a stop on Broadway in Kaikohe, where two people were taken into custody. Inquiries into the incident continue, police say.

Vehicle impounded

Police impounded a vehicle on Saturday night after they received a report of a vehicle driving in an unsafe manner in Gill Rd in Kaitāia, resulting in a crash between two vehicles. No injuries were reported and inquiries continue. A similar incident occurred at 1.55am on Sunday morning in Kerikeri Inlet Rd when a vehicle driving in an unsafe manner resulted in a single-vehicle crash. No injuries were reported and inquiries are ongoing.