News in Brief: Lucky $1m lotto winner

A lucky Lotto player from Whangarei will be popping the champagne after winning $1 million.

A lucky Lotto player from Whangarei will be popping the champagne after winning $1 million with Lotto First Division on Saturday. The winning ticket was sold at Onerahi Bookshop & Lotto in Whangarei. Powerball was not struck rolled over to Wednesday night, where the jackpot will be $5 million. Meanwhile, Strike Four was also won tonight by two players from Waiuku and Kaikoura, who each took home $50,000. The winning Strike tickets were sold at New World Waiuku and Kaikoura New World. Anyone who bought their ticket from any of the above winning stores should write their name on the back of their ticket and check it immediately in-store at any Lotto shop, online at MyLotto.co.nz or through the Lotto NZ App. The lucky numbers were 1, 10, 21, 32, 37, 39 and bonus 19.

Driver way over alcohol limit

A Far north man led police on a slow-speed, 20 minute pursuit before they abandoned the chase after identifying the driver. The officers then followed the man to his Kaitaia home and arrested him. He was breath tested and blew 981 micrograms of alcohol per litre of breath - well over the legal limit of 250mcg for drivers aged 20 and over. Police said the man was spotted about 10.30pm on Saturday. He will appear in court on charges of driving while disqualified, driving with an excess breath alcohol level and dangerous driving.

Ōtangarei tree cull

Five overgrown and ailing casuarina trees in Matai St in Ōtangarei are set to be removed. The 20m tall trees have been dropping dead needles and blocking spouting for residents, while the roots have been damaging water and storm pipes under the ground, causing leaks, blockages and road flooding. The trees are also a threat to power and telephone services overhead. Casuarina trees have relatively short life-spans and when they get overgrown and start to fade, it is time for them to come out. Smaller branches will be chipped and used as mulch, while the larger branches will be put somewhere for locals to chop up for firewood. The council will speak with residents and plant more suitable trees in the area this winter.

Ngāpuhi claim work progresses

The hapū of Ngāpuhi will gather for the second time this year to work together on a new negotiation framework to resolve their historical Treaty claims. Nicki Wakefield, hui facilitator, said hapū were passionate about working with their people and controlling their own destinies and this hui provided them with an opportunity to declare their own pathways. The hapū of Ngapuhi will meet three times this year to progress their claims negotiations with the Crown. The next Ngapuhi hui will be held on Saturday at Te Puna o Te Matauranga Marae (NorthTec) in Whangarei starting at 10am.

Tavern scuffle accused remanded

A 25-year-old man injured during a scuffle with bar patrons at Tikipunga Tavern has been released from hospital and transferred to prison. Last Wednesday night two men, one allegedly armed with a shotgun and the other with an object similar to a screwdriver, charged into the Tikipunga Tavern demanding money about 10.50pm. Patrons managed to get the gun from the man who was held until police arrived. He was released from Whangārei Hospital on Friday afternoon and remains in custody until he appears in court on May 8. Police continue to investigate.