News briefs: Police seek information about Otaika homicide, shopping centre up for auction

Forensic scene examinations as part of a Whangārei homicide investigation are expected to be completed today. Photo / File

Homicide inquiry

Whangarei police are still calling for anyone who may have information relating to the death of a man at Otaika Motor Camp to come forward. The man arrived at the camp at around 12.30am on Sunday with critical chest injuries, believed to be from a stabbing. He died at the scene. A post-mortem examination has been completed and a forensic scene examination is expected to be completed today. Police are appealing to anyone who was in the Otaika area in the early hours of Sunday morning, and has not yet spoken to police, to contact them immediately. Call Detective Inspector Dene Begbie on 09 430 4500 or Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.

Choppers fight scrub fire

Two helicopters were called to a grass fire that threatened a house near Horeke yesterday. The fire started on a property on Motukiore Rd, west of Horeke, and was reported to be about half the size of a rugby field just before 2pm and spreading uphill into gorse near a house. A ground crew at the scene were using a forestry hose to protect a house. Volunteer firefighters from Kaikohe and Okaihau were at the property. The fire got up to two hectares in size. At 4pm one helicopter and a rural fire crew remained at the scene dampening down hot spots.

SH1 detour for roadworks

A section of State Highway 1 in Oakleigh, south of Whangarei, will be closed overnight for repairs and sealing from this Sunday. Roadworks just south of the Mangapai Rd intersection will involve ripping up about 200m of road surface and replacing it with new aggregate and seal. NZTA said the road would be closed to all traffic for two nights from 9pm to 5am on Sunday and Monday. A detour will be in place for southbound traffic via Mangapai Rd, Paparoa Rd, Paparoa-Oakleigh Rd, and SH12 back to SH1. The detour is the same in reverse for northbound traffic and will add another 30 minutes to the journey time. Work is weather dependent and NZTA expects it to be completed by November 8.

Retail centre auction

The auction of Otaika Shopping Centre will be held at Bayleys today. Up for auction is the entire building consisting of eight businesses, including the Otaika Four Square, Aussie Butcher, Liquorland, a pharmacy and Lotto and Post Shop. Most of the retailers have 10-year leases that expire in 2027. The auction will be held at Bayleys on Walton St from 1pm.

Rugby Union role

Applications are invited from suitably qualified people to serve on Northland Rugby Union's board of directors. The union said applicants should have a successful history in rugby, business or both. Applications need to be received by 5pm on November 29, and should include a current CV. They should be emailed to reception@northlandrugby.co.nz or by post to PO Box 584, Whangarei.