Northland news in brief, NZ War commemoration venue and piano comp extended

Northland College will host this year's commemoration of the New Zealand Wars next month.

NZ War event at college

Northland College will provide the venue for this year's commemoration of the New Zealand Wars, on Saturday March 10. The programme will include a re-enactment of Hone Heke and his warriors chopping down the flagpole at Kororareka/Russell, kapa haka, live music, a hangi, a bouncy castle and sports.

The college is on Mangakahia Rd, Kaikohe. Organiser Willie Maihi had wanted to hold the event on the former landfill next to Lindvart Park – where he wants to build a replica pa – but was unable to get council consent.

Drink driver loses licence

A woman who was celebrating her 71st birthday on Tuesday was charged with driving with excess alcohol after she recorded 925 micrograms per litre of breath, almost four times the legal limit, at her fifth attempt.

Described by police as drunk and belligerent, she had allegedly failed to stop at the Melba St/Matthews' Ave intersection in Kaitaia, almost T-boning another car, and was stopped in the RSA car park. Her licence was suspended on the spot.

Piano comp extends

The organisers of the Kerikeri International Piano Competition have extended the 2018 event to a fourth day, to provide a more leisurely experience for contestants, judges and the audience alike.

The competition, which will be from September 26-30, began as a national event in 1987, and is now recognised as New Zealand's foremost classical music competition for solo pianists. In 2012 it became an international event, and has since gained recognition worldwide for its quality and fine organisation.

KIPC also had a reputation for securing the highest calibre of competition judges, and the 2018 line-up would be no exception. This year's panel would include highly accomplished international pianists Awadagin Pratt (USA), Soo-Jung Shin (South Korea), and Phillip Shovk (Australia).

Motorist admits charges

A Northlander has admitted to charges relating to a police chase through central Whangarei streets on a motorbike.

Deacon Harris, 25, from Waipapa, pleaded guilty in the Whangarei District Court yesterday to one charge of dangerous driving and another of failing to stop.

He was spotted on Walton St about 12.26pm on January 25 and failed to stop, then continued to the Central Ave area before heading into Fourth Ave.

After riding through some properties Harris then headed down Central Ave on to Maunu Rd and then south on to State Highway 1. It was a quick right-hand turn into Raumanga Valley Rd, past NorthTec before he stopped the bike and was arrested.

Harris was convicted on the charge of dangerous driving and ordered to perform 250 hours community work. He was convicted and discharged on the remaining charge.