The Far North District Council is seeking public feedback on proposed amendments to its Class 4 Gaming and TAB Venue Policy. The existing 2014 policy includes a “sinking lid” policy on pokie machines, or class 4 gaming venues, which means that no new pokie machines are allowed in the district, and machines cannot be redistributed. A 2022 review of the policy, which included a report on the social impacts of gambling in the Far North, found communities are vulnerable to the detrimental effects of problem gambling and that a significant amount of money is removed from the district due to class 4 gambling. To learn more about the consultation and read the Statement of Proposal, go to the Have Your Say page on the council’s website. Submissions can be provided immediately online via an online survey, can be emailed to submissions@fndc.govt.nz or can be posted to: Strategy Development Team, FNDC, Private Bag 752, Kaikohe 0440, Attention: Strategy development. The consultation closes at 5pm on March 15.
Arrest after serious assault
Police are investigating a serious assault in relation to a family harm incident in Whangārei on Sunday morning. A police spokesman said a 23-year-old woman was flown to Auckland Hospital with serious head and internal injuries. The incident happened at 4am. A 37-year-old man was arrested for assault. The CIB is investigating, the spokesman said.
Suspicious fire
Fire and Emergency New Zealand (Fenz) crews were called to a suspicious car fire in Ōtangarei, Whangārei on Saturday at 2am. The stolen car had been dumped and set on fire on William Jones Drive, near the Ōtangarei Superette. A Fenz spokesman said the car was “well involved on arrival”. “It was deemed suspicious, and police were notified”, he said. There were no reports of injuries. Police are investigating.
