Awanui businessman Bill Subritzky has won a by-election for a vacant seat on the Te Hiku Community Board. Subritzky, who received 341 votes, was one of four candidates contesting the by-election in the Whatuwhiwhi Subdivision called to replace the late Lawrie Atkinson.
The other candidates were Eddie Bellas (298 votes), Boyd Rupapera (16) and Whetu Rutene (277). A total of 933 votes were received when voting closed at noon on Thursday, a turnout of just over 39 per cent.
Rupapera pulled out but was unable to get his name removed from the ballot form. Subritzky, who represented the Awanui Progressive and Ratepayers' Association, will be sworn in during the next community board meeting at the Mangonui Cruising Club on October 6.
Shepherd admits waste breach
Former Northland Regional Council chairman Bill Shepherd has been convicted and discharged and his company and former sharemilker fined, after breaching the Resource Management Act 1991.
Shepherd, his company Shepherd Farms, his 50:50 sharemilker Robert Phillip and his company Philip Farms admitted in the Environment Court to discharging untreated and partially treated wastewater from a broken pipe and a feed pad pond onto land in circumstances which may have resulted in the contaminant entering an unnamed tributary of the Wairau River.
The offences happened in July and August 2019. Shepherd stood for re-election to the NRC in October but missed out.
In the Environment Court At Whangārei yesterday Shepherd was convicted and discharged and Shepherd Farms was fined $27,200. Philip was fined $3000 and Philip Farms $33,600.
Home and Lifestyle show delays
The three-day Northland Home and Lifestyle Show, which was to have opened at Whangarei's McKay Stadium on Friday, has been postponed.
The organisers said yesterday the "difficult decision" had been made in view of the fact that the move to Covid-19 alert level 1 would not be absolutely confirmed until Monday, which did not allow sufficient time to prepare and plan.
The organisers were looking at setting new dates early next year.