Northland news in brief

Whangarei Constable Anthony Cox. Photo / File

Driver injured in collision

The driver of a car suffered minor injuries after his vehicle collided with a truck on State Highway 1 in Oakleigh just after 2pm yesterday. Constable Anthony Cox of Whangarei police said the car was heading north and the truck in the opposite direction when the vehicles collided. The truck mounted a barrier on the side of the road and both front wheels went off the ground from the impact. The car was a write off. Mr Cox said the car driver was transported to the Whangarei Hospital while the truck driver was not hurt. Traffic was not disrupted.

Witness to beach incident

The Far North District Council hopes to speak to a witness of a beach toileting incident which upset locals at Waitangi last Thursday. A spokesman said the council could lodge a complaint about the woman with police, who could then issue a warning or prosecute her for indecent exposure as long as eyewitnesses were willing to give evidence in court. The council could also issue a $400 fine under its Litter Infringement Policy, but that would depend on whether the woman defecated or urinated on the beach.

Large amount of cash handed to police

An honest American tourist has handed in what police describe as a "substantial amount of money" found in Paihia over the weekend. Police won't say how much was found or exactly where it was, because they plan to use that information to make sure any claimants are genuine. If the cash is yours call the Kerikeri police station on (09) 407 9211.

Landing Rd crash landing

A car veered off Kerikeri's Landing Rd and rolled onto its side about 9pm on Saturday when its 17-year-old driver lost control. A passenger suffered minor injuries.

Tourists targeted again

German tourists had their credit cards and other items stolen when their campervan was broken into at Opononi on Friday, but they were most upset about the loss of their camera's memory cards. Sergeant Ross Laurie, of Kerikeri police, said other vehicle break-ins occurred in Okaihau, Ohaeawai and Kaikohe over the weekend. He urged motorists to secure their cars and keep valuables out of sight or, better still, take them along rather than leave them in the vehicle.

Higher piles for marae rebuild

A public meeting on Saturday at Karangahape Marae, at Matangirau near the Whangaroa Harbour, opted to rebuild the flood-hit marae on piles at least 1.5m above the present floor level. Marae members and residents of the Touwai Valley were asked to choose between building a new marae on tall piles or raising the ground level. Marae committee had previously looked for a more elevated site but the alternatives were to be just as flood-prone or the cost of buying land was too high.