Northland news in brief

Freemasons scholarship

Kaitaia's Kendall Lattin has been awarded a $6000 Freemasons university scholarship. Ms Lattin, who now lives in Christchurch, will complete a master of policy and governance at the University of Canterbury this year, following a bachelor of science majoring in psychology. The thesis will look at the participation, citizenship and engagement of children and young people in Christchurch after the earthquakes. It continues work that Ms Lattin undertook while on a summer scholarship with Unicef, the University of Canterbury, Christchurch City Council and local youth groups on Child Friendly Cities. She is one of 29 who have been awarded Freemasons scholarships totalling $202,000.

Invitation to poetic workshops

CCS Disability Action (Northern Region) is running a series of fun-filled workshops over the next few weeks where young people can learn how to create and perform their own stories as poetic monologues. No experience is necessary, and all are welcome to come and give it a go. The Tu Toa Spoken Word Workshops are at; 4pm - 7.30pm, May 17 - Introduction to Spoken Word; 10am - 6pm, May 27 - Weekend workshop; and 4pm - 7:30pm, June 7- Refining workshop. If people want to register, or have any questions, they can phone project manager Stella Ward on 0274 735 879 or email Tim.George@ccsDisabilityAction.org.nz.

Gough battles to survive

Survivor NZ's Hannah Gough has hit back at fat-shaming but tomorrow she will battle to stay in the game. The Whangarei kindergarten teacher and plus-sized model was voted off by her teammates, who judged her on her size last week but she proved them wrong when she won the Redemption Island challenge. Now Ms Gough will battle hardened former soldier Tony to see who stays to have another shot at the grand prize and who will leave the show for good. More than 8000 people applied for Survivor NZ, which airs Sundays at 7pm and Mondays at 7.30pm on TVNZ 2.

Women out in force

Northland women are set to turn out in record numbers tomorrow in support of the biggest Mother's Day event in New Zealand. More than 9500 women will take part in the 2017 Jennian Homes Mother's Day Fun Run/Walk at 23 locations around the country on Sunday. This is a huge 35 per cent jump over the 7000 women who participated last year. In Northland, more than 1070 women - the largest figure nationwide - have already signed up for the event, which will take place at the Paihia Village Green from 9am. The charity event celebrates Mother's Day by supporting women's heart health.

Forest fundraisers just need $19,000

The organisers of a crowd funding campaign are hoping for a last minute rush of giving so a large tract of private Northland native forest can become a public reserve. The Native Forest Restoration Trust has $166,000 toward the $185,000 needed to buy the 112ha in the South Hokianga's Wekaweka Valley. That leaves $19,000, with settlement scheduled for Monday, the trust's manager Sandy Crichton said. The cause was boosted by backing from Duane Major and Adam Gard'ner, who started the Givealittle campaign which raised $2.3 million so the public could buy Awaroa Beach in Abel Tasman Park. Contributions can be made at www.givealittle.co.nz/cause/wekawekavalley or www.nfrt.org.nz/wekaweka-appeal

Sail on a tall ship

The replica tall ship R Tucker Thompson is coming back to Whangarei to host its popular Kiddies' Pirate Sail. As well as a youngsters-only two hour voyage, there will be a separate cruise for pirates of any age on Whangarei Harbour on Saturday May 27. Boarding for that trip will 11.15am at Onerahi Wharf, to be on the briny from 11.30am until 1.30pm. The two-hour kids' trip boards at the same place at 1.45pm. Proceeds will help the R Tucker Thompson Trust's subsidised youth training voyages. Tickets ($25) are available online: http://tucker.co.nz/tourism/special-sailings/#publicsail

Generous bequest for rescue chopper

A Northlander, who did not wish to be identified or to have the amount disclosed, has left a "significant and generous" bequest to Northland Rescue Helicopter. NRH chairman Paul Ahlers said the rescue service was fuelled by community support, fundraising and sponsorship, and a donation of this size was very important. The donation will help the drive to raise up to $7.1 million to purchase an upgraded helicopter, to replace the fleet's oldest chopper. NRH had three Sikorsky S76 helicopters, but the region's steady growth, and increasing demand on the service, had required the trust to put in place a long-term plan to update its fleet.

Artists consider gender stereotypes

An artistic exploration of gender-based tasks is the basis for an exhibition of work by multiple artists, taking place at NorthTec's Geoff Wilson Gallery. Entitled Women's Work, the exhibition considers how gender stereotypes relating to Pacific arts are challenged in Aotearoa-New Zealand. What does a rigid male-female binary exclude or preclude? Women's Work is curated by Tui Emma Gillies and Dr Billie Lythberg. It was launched at the gallery on the Raumanga campus on Thursday and is open for public viewing on Wednesdays (10am to 6pm) and Thursdays (10am to 4pm) until June 9.

Heat on in the north

Northland was the warmest place in the country the past two days, with Kaitaia and Whangarei recording the hottest two temperatures in the country. Kaitaia had a balmy 21.1C on Thursday with Whangarei recording 20.2C at Whangarei Airport. Yesterday Kaitaia recorded the national high of 20.4C followed by Whangarei's 20C.