Dead men named
The names of two men believed to have been killed in a plane crash near Dargaville have been released. They were the plane's owner and pilot Dean Voelkerling, 53, of Kamo and friend Paul Fabien Rawiri, 45, of Leamington. Police said formal identification procedures were still under way. The duo were in the plane that was seen to break up before it crashed into farmland at Te Kopuru soon after midday on Monday.
Lucky Lotto sellers
Two Northland stores have sold Lotto second division winning tickets in Wednesday night's draw, with one also winning Powerball second division. Six tickets around the country each won $26,137 with Lotto second division on Wednesday, including ones sold at Onerahi Bookshop and Lotto and Opononi Four Square. The ticket sold at Onerahi Bookshop and Lotto also won Powerball second division, taking the total won to $34,603.
Race tickets winner
Cherie Barber, from Whangarei, won the Interislander Summer Festival race day prize pack in a competition run in the Northern Advocate. Ms Barber won a picnic blanket, two tickets to the Ruakaka Races and sunblock after knowing that the races are on at Ruakaka on January 6.
Waitangi kids holiday programme
The Waitangi Treaty Grounds are running a school holiday programme from Monday January 8 to 26. The education team are encouraging adults to bring the kids along for some creative activities. There are morning and afternoon sessions available, from 9.30 to 11.30 and 2pm to 4pm. Ask the staff on the day where the activities are taking place. All children must be accompanied by an adult.
Festival stalls available
The last few stalls are still up for grabs at this year's Ngapuhi Festival. The festival is on January 27 at Whangarei's Toll Stadium and will showcase culture, community, arts and music. The 10 Iwi Idol finalists are performing live and the winner sings on stage with Aaradhna. Information on stalls and how to book can be found online at http://ngapuhifestival.com/events/book-a-stall/
