Kayakers and other beachgoers are being asked to stay clear of the large number of godwits gathering at Ruakākā Estuary mouth's southern side. Extreme king tides wash over shallower roosting sites in Bream Bay and Whangārei Harbour and cause godwits to move to the higher sandbank at Ruakākā. Although the area is in the protected, high status Ruakākā Wildlife Reserve, people disturb the birds by getting too close, dragging kayaks on to the sandbank and other activities. The high king tides are expected to continue over the weekend.
Alleged thief caught
Gear stolen from a tourists' van parked at Cape Reinga was later recovered by police after the alleged thief was spotted at Te Paki Stream. Sergeant James Calvert said the tourists had left their van locked in the car park at the Cape about 2pm on Thursday. The driver's door was smashed and items taken. The van believed to have been used in the theft was spotted at Te Paki Stream and a 24-year-old man from Auckland, but with links to Northland, was arrested and charged. He appeared in the Kaitaia District Court yesterday and was remanded to reappear at Papakura District Court on February 4.
Councillors return in February
Far North District councillors are taking a break next month with their next full council meeting not scheduled until February 28. The meeting starts at 10am; the venue and agenda have yet to be confirmed. The Kaikohe-Hokianga Community Board will hold its first meeting of 2019 at 10.30am on February 13 in the council chambers in Kaikohe while the Bay of Islands-Whangaroa Community Board will reconvene at 10am on February 25 (venue to be confirmed).
