The Māori Party has named Mariameno Kapa-Kingi as its candidate for Te Tai Tokerau in the election this year. Of Te Aupōuri and Ngāti Kahu ki Whangaroa descent, Kapa-Kingi has spent her professional life working for iwi organisations and in Māori health, in particular with young Māori suffering from mental illness. She has also helped drive Kāinga Ora, which aims to secure healthy homes for whānau.
Kiwi sign nicked
For Backyard Kiwi and Whangārei Heads Landcare level 2 has been a time of checking in and catching up on kiwi, traps and bait lines. But one of the casualties of lockdown was a 'Kicking Kiwi' sign stolen from the main road during level 4.
The two large reflective kiwi signs are strategically positioned on the road between Nook Rd turnoff and McLeod Bay. The signs mark a high kiwi traffic zone and many kiwi were killed on this stretch of road – until the signs went in. If you can help find the sign please let your local police know.
Mistakenly charged
Some Far North residents may have been mistakenly charged late payment penalties for their water rates after cheques in pre-paid envelopes were held up during the Covid-19 lockdown. A spokesman said the Far North District Council had now received overdue mail from NZ Post and was processing the cheques.
Anyone who believed they had been wrongly charged a late payment penalty should call the council on 0800 920 029. ''We apologise for the distress this may have caused and want to assure customers we are working hard to correct payment records. We are also working with NZ Post to make sure this doesn't happen again,'' the spokesman said.
