Opononi and Omapere residents are being urged to conserve water while contractors for the Far North District Council continue to look for and repair leaks in the pipeline between the Hokianga towns' dam and water treatment plant. A major leak was detected on April 5 and repaired the following day, but work to locate a number of other leaks is continuing. In the meantime the reservoir is being topped up with treated water trucked in from Kaikohe. The council is appealing to residents to limit water use to drinking and washing only.
National MPs to visit
Northland MP Matt King is hosting five other MPs from National's provincial priorities team at a public meeting in Kerikeri to discuss rural and local issues. The meeting will take place at Rock Salt Bar, at the corner of Kerikeri and Cobham Rd, from 5.30-6.30pm on Monday, April 15. The other MPs taking part are Tim van de Molen (Waikato), Hamish Walker (Clutha-Southland), Maureen Pugh (list), Stuart Smith (Kaikoura) and Nathan Guy (Otaki).
Ambulance, fire brigade race to scene
Emergency services raced to Kāeo after reports that a child had been hit by a car on Kaeo's Leigh St yesterday. The accident happened outside the Four Square about 9am with police, St John ambulance and firefighters from Kāeo, Kerikeri and Mangonui responding, though all but the Kāeo brigade were soon stood down. Details were not available at edition time but it is believed the child was taken to Whangaroa Health Centre with minor injuries.