Northland news briefs: Meth lectures, man arrested for aggravated robberies and more news

Meth lectures starting in Northland with the first in Whangarei. Photo/File

Robbery suspect arrested

A 31-year-old male from Otara was arrested by Northland Police on Saturday night in relation to a series of aggravated robberies in the Auckland area. The man will appear in the Whangarei District Court today.

Scrub fire in Whangarei

Two fire crews from Whangarei were called to a small scrub fire on Abbey Caves Rd about 8.15pm on Friday. Fire and emergency shift manager Murray Bannister said the fire was about 20 metres by 5m in size when crews arrived and extinguished it. He said the fire was not being investigated.

Careful driving advised at Karangahake Gorge

Motorists were last night told to drive carefully through the Karangahake Gorge on the Coromandel Peninsula due to heavy flooding with heavy rain forecast to head north. Emergency services and contractors were in the area on State Highway 2 between Paeroa and Waihi about 5pm yesterday.

Heavy rain is expected to hit Northland, Auckland and the northern half of the Coromandel Peninsula over the next few days. MetService says there's a chance of similar downpours in Manawatu, the East Cape, Wairarapa and Marlborough during the week.

Meth lectures

Methamphetamine has spread its tentacles across New Zealand, and reducing supply needed to be a focus for authorities, says the manager of a drug education business. Dale Kirk, of Methcon, is holding a series of hard-hitting lectures in Northland starting tonight, to educate families and the public about meth and its dangers. The lectures will feature video presentations of what happens when using meth and the physical damage to users.

The Not Even Once - Saying No to Meth programme has been shown in more than 100 high schools and this will be the first time it has been opened up to the public. Dates for the Northland events are: Forum North Whangarei tonight starting at 7pm, The Turner Centre Kerikeri June 25, Te Ahu Centre Kaitaia on July 2. Book at methcon.co.nz

Lotto

The winning lotto numbers from Saturday night were 07, 08, 14 17, 22, 34 and the bonus ball 3. Strike was17, 08, 22, 07.