Northland police sprung into action after a reported sighting of a firearm in Horahora, Whangārei. Officers could be seen making enquiries on Silverstream Rd, near Whangārei Hospital, on Monday at 9.30am. Police were completing follow-up investigations.
Dead freediver named
The man who died freediving for seafood in the Far North during lockdown has been named. Hare Himani Pickering, 63, of Whirinaki, was found unresponsive in the water at Waipoua on August 25 after he failed to return from his dive. His death highlighted some confusion among Northlanders about the rules around the water during the current lockdown. On Sunday, the Government released a clarification on its Covid-19 website which stated fishing was allowed from the shore or wharves close to home. Fishing from boats, off rocks, or diving for kaimoana (seafood) is still not permitted.
Crash while overtaking
A car "slipped off the road" as it tried to overtake a truck in Matarau, near Kamo, on Monday. Paramedics treated one person in a minor condition at the scene of the crash on Pipiwai Rd shortly after 11am. Police were reminding motorists to take extra care on the roads even though traffic volumes had dropped to around 15 per cent. During a radio interview last week, Northland district commander Superintendent Tony Hill said driving capabilities had "deteriorated" on the region's roads and police had seen some "quite dangerous driving".
