Northland news in brief: family support baby's homicide inquiry and motorcyclists injured

Police are still investigating the non-accidental death of Kaitaia four-week-old Maree Takuira Mita Ngahere, above.

Kaitaia toddler death

The family of four-week old Maree Takuira Mita Ngahere, who died from non-accidental injuries in Kaitaia last month, say they want to know what happened to her and support the police homicide inquiry.

Maree was found in a home in Kaitaia on February 19 from what police said at the time were non-accidental injuries and results from a post mortem indicated she suffered a brain injury and bleeding to her brain.

Acting Detective Inspector Lloyd Schmid said a dedicated team of investigators are currently speaking to a large number of people both in Northland and further afield as part of the investigation.

"The very nature of those injuries are deeply concerning. I continue to urge anyone who has yet to contact Police to come forward as we know there are people out there who hold vital information about this case,'' he said.

A spokesperson for Maree's family, Bardia Matiu, said: "We want to know what happened to our mokopuna. Our whānau are united in our support of the Police in their search for the truth." Anyone with information is asked to contact Kaitaia Police on (09) 408 6500 or Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.

Boat drifts across Tasman

A 5.6m Bar Crusher boat, which was lost off Sydney in 2017, has reportedly washed up on the beach at Henderson Bay. No further details were available yesterday, but the craft was described as heavily encrusted with barnacles.

Motorcyclists injured

Two motorcyclists were flown to Whangārei Hospital by rescue helicopter after separate incidents on the Karikari Peninsula on Sunday. One suffered a suspected broken hip when his machine struck a rock on Tokerau Beach. The other was hurt when his bike rolled on a property at Whatuwhiwhi.

Artist residency

Applications have opened for the 2019 Wharepuke Dalton Trust Artist in Residence programme, which offers an artist's fee and four weeks' accommodation in exchange for creating a work for permanent outdoor display at Wharepuke Sculpture Park in Kerikeri. The residency, worth $5500, is open to New Zealand-based and international artists. Go to www.artist-residencies.co.nz/funded-artist-residency before April 19.

Shakespeare at vineyard

The Kerikeri Theatre Company's production of Shakespeare's A Midsummer Night's Dream begins at Kainui Rd Vineyard at 6.30 this evening, continuing on Friday and Saturday, with a 2.30pm matinee on Sunday. The cellar bar will be open (no BYO), but take a picnic hamper and something to sit on. Tickets at www.iticket.co.nz or Paper Plus in Kerikeri.