News briefs from Northland: region's roading plan known today and 2nd division Lotto win

The Government's plans for Northland's roads for the next three years, including State Highway One, south of Whangārei, above, will be revealed today.

National Land Transport Programme to be released

Northlanders will find out what the Government's plan is for the region's roading system is with the release of the 2018/21 National Land Transport Programme today. Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern and Transport Minister Phil Twyford, along with the NZ Transport Agency, will release the National Land Transport Programme which outlines the Government's transport investment throughout the country for the next three years, in Auckland today. The release will contain details of what roading projects it plans to commit to in Northland and other land transport plans for the region.

Lotto winner

A ticket sold in Mangawhai was one of eight nationally that each won more than $18,000 on Lotto second division on Wednesday night. The ticket, sold at Molesworth Four Square, won its holder $18,704.

Orchids on show

The Whangārei Orchid Society is holding an Orchid Show at Forum North next month.
The spring show, in the Cafler Suite on September 14-15 will be open from 9am to 4pm.
The Orchid Society says there will be exciting displays of orchids, as well as raffles and plants for sale and they have included bromeliads in the Spring Show, both for display and sales. In addition, there will be stalls from commercial growers and other products of interest.

Family justice submissions wanted

Northlanders can make submissions to the Independent Panel evaluating the 2014 reforms to the family justice system from next week. The Panel wants to hear from people who have used family justice services to resolve a dispute about the care of their children after separation. Members of the public and interested groups will be able to make submissions in the eight-week period between September 5 and November 9. Information about the submissions process, and links to make a submission to the Panel will be published on the Ministry of Justice website www.justice.govt.nz on September 5.

Movie focuses on aftermath

Māui's Hook, a feature film made by Whangārei resident, psychologist and filmmaker Paora Joseph, focuses on the aftermath for families who have lost a loved to suicide. It has been described as a raw, compelling road trip of loss, forgiveness and redemption. The doco-drama focuses on five families, one of them the Albert family from Whangārei, who share their story frankly and movingly. Māui's Hook will be showing at Event Cinema in Whangārei for a limited season on September 7, 8 and 9.

Potter Park for play

The land where a playground will be built in Tikipunga has formally been named Potter Park. The land on the corner of Corks Rd and Vinegar Hill Rd is the site of the former Potter Children's Home and in 2016 representatives of the Tikipunga Protestant Children's Home Trust gifted the land to Whangārei District Council for the development on a children's park. The trust will also contribute $100,000 towards the development. A conditions of the gifting was that the park be named Potter Park and the council completed that formality at yesterday's meeting.