Northland news briefs

A mystery potential buyer is still doing due diligence on the ratepayer-owned old Countdown building in Kensington, Whangarei.

Countdown deal takes longer

The mystery buyer who made an offer for the old Countdown building in Kensington is still doing due diligence.

Building owner the Northland Regional Council has accepted the offer just as it contracted real estate agents in the local and international markets. The building has been vacant for more than three years since Countdown moved to Regent after 26 years at the site. The sale was expected to have been finalised before Christmas last year but is taking longer than expected.

Road-rage manslaughter charge

A 21-year-old man has appeared in court re the relation to the death of Christopher Vujcich, 58, in an alleged road rage incident in Kaikohe on January 19. Patrick Dennis Tarawa, from Kaikohe, was further remanded in custody when he appeared in the Kaikohe District Court on Tuesday charged with manslaughter.

He is next due in the High Court at Whangarei on February 15. Tarawa was initially charged with wounding with intent to cause grievous bodily harm but the charge was upgraded after an autopsy on Mr Vujcich, who died in Bay of Islands Hospital a day after the alleged attack.

Six more hit the beat

Six New Northland police constables will graduate from the Royal New Zealand Police College today.They are members of a 77-strong wing who have just completed 16 weeks of study at the college. The six officers will hit the beat in Northland next week.

Wanted man found

A 21-year-old Takahue man who eluded police for more than a week was arrested on Monday and appeared in the Kaitaia District Court on Tuesday. A police spokesman said Rore White had been located at a Takahue address, and was arrested without incident.
White was remanded in custody to appear again on February 22.

He is facing two counts of burglary and one apiece of using threatening language, reckless driving, driving whilst disqualified for the third or subsequent time, failing to stop, failing to ascertain injury, escaping lawful custody and wilful damage.

Parking now costs

Parking charges at two Whangarei carparks come into effect today. Parking in the Town Basin carpark will now cost $2 an hour, with a maximum time of three hours. The rate applies seven days a week from 8am to 6pm.

While across the road at the carpark on the site of the former Toyota car yard parking will cost $2 an hour for all day parking, Monday to Friday from 8am to 6pm.

Video shows in Brazil

A piece of video art made by four Kerikeri friends and currently screening at Brazil's Bienal de Curitiba — one of South America's biggest contemporary art events — will be shown at the Scout Den on Landing Rd, Kerikeri, from noon to 1pm this Sunday. Where the Sun goes Down was made by artist Scott McFarlane along with Hamish MacLean, Kelly Michael and Jason Taylor. The Scout Den is next door to the Department of Conservation's Kerikeri base.

Kamo Club hits 75

The Kamo Club is coming up to 75 years of operations and will be celebrating the event at Easter 2018. The weekend will commence with a meet and greet on the Friday night with formal welcomes and will continue on the Saturday and finish with a Sunday morning barbecue.

Past or present members wishing to attend the celebrations from March 30 to April 1 can forward their details to, The Organising Committee 75th Jubilee, c/o Kamo Club, PO Box 4147, Whangarei or E-mail kamoclub@xtra.co.nz .