Keen walkers are encouraged to don their hiking boots for the ninth annual Bay of Islands Walking Weekend. The four-day event takes place from October 13 to 16 and involves a huge variety of walks that include night time kiwi walks, overnight stays at Cape Brett, kayaking, cycling, three vineyard walks, and other rambles to remote and hard to access spots on the peninsula. Walking Weekend board trustee William Fuller said the event's aim was to show how much was on offer in the Bay of Islands. For more information or to sign up visit www.boiwalkingweekend.co.nz
House damaged by kitchen fire
A house on Kaikohe's Ōmāpere Rd was damaged in a kitchen fire on Monday afternoon. The alarm was raised at 3.40pm with the occupants managing to extinguish the blaze before the fire brigade arrived. Volunteer firefighters used fans to ventilate the smoke-logged house and used a thermal camera to check for hotspots in the fire-damaged walls and ceiling.
Trade fair returns
The Young Enterprise Scheme's Trade Fair is returning to the Old Packhouse Market in Kerikeri on Saturday, August 13, from 8am-1pm. The annual event showcases businesses created by high school students from Bream Bay and Ruawai in the south to Kaitaia in the north and as far west as Panguru. Coordinator Gary Larkan said this year's crop of up to 50 student products include a supplement made from the medicinal kumarahou plant, a sailing school for teenagers, laser engraving, a game based on different political systems, and Polynesian hair care products. Prizes will be awarded for best presentation and customer choice. Anyone who buys a product will also be in the running for prizes.
