Northland news in brief

Tourists found safe

Two tourists were found safe after they were reported missing on Whangarei's Whau Valley Dam walking tracks. The pair were reported missing about 10pm on Tuesday when they failed to return from the run they went on two hours earlier, police said. Land search and rescue volunteers were called in and the two tourists were found safely about 2am yesterday.

Moko gets $435k

The Moko Foundation, based in Kaitaia, has been awarded a share of $435,000 in grants from the Government's Partnership Fund. Youth Minister Nikki Kaye, who announced the funding last week, said Moko, which supports and empowers communities in Northland, with a focus on vulnerable young people, would use the money to provide mentoring opportunities for 40 local young people. "Participants will be supported to transcend social and economic barriers, and develop new skills and confidence to help put them on a path to a successful future," she said. More than 650 young people throughout the North Island would benefit from collaborative investments in new mentoring opportunities thanks to the grants.

Police search Taupo Bay home

Police officers forced their way into a securely locked home on Mako Dr in Taupo Bay early yesterday to conduct a search on behalf of Auckland police. Two patrol cars and a tool van attended. The outcome was not known at edition time yesterday.

Kaikohe man on run

A 20-year-old Kaikohe man is on the run after an alleged serious assault on his ex-partner. Police say they were called to his former partner's home in Kaikohe after he turned up at 2am on Monday and started punching and kicking her. She fought back and he fled out the back door. The search is continuing.

Diplomats head for Waitangi

Sixty-seven foreign diplomats and their spouses will attend Waitangi Day Commemorations in the Bay of Islands on Sunday. Hosted by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade's Protocol Division, the visit aims to give diplomatic corps an experience of a fundamental part of New Zealand history during the week of Waitangi. The envoys are responsible not only for representing their country, but also representing New Zealand back to their capitals. This will be the first visit to Waitangi for about half the corps. The diplomats are from Africa, the Middle East, the Americas, the Pacific, Asia and Europe - including the Apostolic Nuncio from the Holy See.

Powhiri for principal

A powhiri for Dargaville High School's new principal, Mike Houghton, will be held at the school on Tuesday at 11.20am. The powhiri for Mr Houghton, who has come north from Palmerston North, will be held in the school gymnasium.