Northland news in brief: NZSO double bill

Spanish guitarist Pablo Sainz Villegas will be performing in Kerikeri later this month.

One of the most talented conductors of his generation will be joined by a top Spanish guitarist for a performance with the New Zealand Symphony Orchestra in Northland.

Britain's Alexander Shelley will conduct the NZSO after mesmerising New Zealand audiences three years ago.

He has been music director of Canada's National Arts Centre Orchestra, chief conductor of the Nuremberg Symphony Orchestra and principal associate conductor of London's Royal Philharmonic Orchestra.

Spanish guitarist Pablo Sainz Villegas, who has performed in the presence of the Dalai Lama and Spain's royal family, will also be playing.

The concert Alexander Shelley Returns is at Kerikeri's The Turner Centre on Sunday, July 23.

Rough weather catches kayakers

Northland police are reminding people to check the conditions before going out on the sea after two people got in to trouble on the water. Senior Sergeant Cliff Metcalfe said a man and woman went out to go kayak fishing at Whatuwhiwhi about 12.20pm on Saturday when they were caught in rough sea conditions and 40knot winds.

Mr Metcalfe said the pair were drifting apart and unable to get back to shore so the man contacted Coastguard who then contacted police Search and Rescue.

Mr Metcalfe said they were both about a nautical mile offshore so police advised the pair to turn around and paddle with the winds behind them to blow them on shore. Both made it to Tokerau Beach cold but otherwise okay.

Mr Metcalfe said they were wearing lifejackets and said it was a reminder for people to check the conditions before heading out on the water.

College performs Disney production

Huanui College will be the first school in New Zealand to perform Disney's The Little Mermaid Jr' Having recently received rights directly from Disney, Huanui College will be the first school in New Zealand to perform the production.

The cast have been reciting lines while the music room has been filled with beats which will accompany the show.

The production will be performed at Forum North from August 10 to August 12

Taipa hotel's excellence recognised

For three years running Ramada Resort Reia Taipa has been recognised with a tourism-related Certificate of Excellence.

The certificate from the travel ratings and review website TripAdvisor recognise businesses that have maintained a consistent overall mark of four out of five or higher from the site's users.

The beachfront hotel at Taipa has a four-and-a-half star rating, with 63 per cent of reviews from guests awarding the five-star "excellent" rating. It placed sixth in TripAdvisor's Travellers' Choice Awards for New Zealand earlier in the year.