Daylight Saving
Daylight Saving begins on Sunday, when clocks go forward an hour at 2am to become 3am. The change will run till April 1, 2018, when clocks go back an hour at 3am to 2am. People may find it convenient to advance their clocks by one hour before going to bed on Saturday. The change to Daylight Saving is also a good time for residents to check their household emergency plans, survival kits and home smoke alarms.
Kingi on song at awards
Northland actor/singer/songwriter Troy Kingi has been named the nation's best Maori pop artist and best Maori male solo artist in the Waiata Maori Music Awards. Kerikeri-based Kingi won the titles on the strength of his new album Guitar Party at Uncle's Bach and dominated the 10th annual awards along with singer Maisey Rika. Rika took home the awards for best traditional Maori album, best Maori female solo artist, best song by a Maori artist and best Maori songwriter. The awards ceremony, held in Hastings on Friday night, included performances from Northland acts Teeks and Alien Weaponry. r Kingi has also been nominated, along with Alien Weaponry and Teeks, in the prestigious Silver Scroll songwriting awards. The Silver Scroll winner will be announced on September 28.
Dog site chosen
The Far North District Council has chosen a site for a new southern dog pound. The land, at Ngawha, east of Kaikohe, is currently owned by lines company Top Energy but a sale agreement is close to being finalised, according to a report by chief executive Shaun Clarke presented at last week's council meeting. The council has had only a Kaitaia pound since May, when Sue Dennis quit after eight years of operating the pound on her Okaihau property under contract to the council.
Boutique hotel proposed
A proposal to build a boutique hotel with up to 140 beds on land owned by the Kerikeri RSA, as revealed in the Advocate last week, is expected to spark vigorous debate when the incorporated society holds its AGM from 4.30pm this Sunday. The future of the property, at 37 Cobham Rd, is one of the subjects up for discussion during general business. The proposal, from the neighbouring Turner Centre, would see the current RSA buildings replaced by a four or five-storey hotel, which would allow the centre to host conferences for up to 300 people. The RSA could get a floor in the new building.
Drunk-driver charge
A 76-year-old Kaitaia man was summonsed for driving with excess alcohol after he reportedly fell asleep at the wheel on State Highway 1 at Awanui on Saturday afternoon. The occupants of a police patrol car, who were following him, watched as his vehicle crossed the road and crashed into a ditch and through a fence. He allegedly recorded 511 micrograms of alcohol per litre of breath.