Driver charged
A 56-year-old Kaitaia driver who allegedly failed to stop and then reversed into a police car was found to be more than three times over the legal alcohol level, police say.
Sergeant Dylan Robinson said a member of the public alerted police that a man believed to have been drinking was getting into a car in the Pak'nSave carpark about 8.40pm on Thursday.
Officers attempted to stop the car, which managed to avoid road spikes, before stopping near the rear entrance to the Te Ahu Ahu Centre. It was then the driver allegedly reversed into a police car before he was arrested.
A breath test allegedly showed a breath alcohol level of 850 micrograms - the legal limit for drivers 20 and over is 250mcg. He will appear in the Kaitaia District Court on a number of charges.
Archaeology dig for children
Kids who want to know what it's like to be an archaeologist are invited to take part in an Archaeology Week treasure dig on Hobson's Beach at the Waitangi Treaty Grounds today from 2pm-4pm.
They will be provided with trowels and brushes, and can keep whatever they dig up. Meanwhile, grown-up archaeology buffs are invited to a lecture at the Museum of Waitangi by Otago University archaeologist Ian Smith at 2pm tomorrow.
Bomb threat arrest
Northland schools were among 33 nationwide that received calls over a two-day period that originated from overseas regarding bomb threats last year.
Now, thanks to the work by New Zealand police a man from Israel has been arrested. While police attended each school, a team of specialist staff from the National Criminal Investigations Group worked hard behind the scenes to trace the origin of the calls.
While the calls were being directed internationally to countries such as Australia, England and the United States, the arrest was a direct result of the work by the specialist police team.
Till stolen in Cafe Narnia burglary
A popular Whangarei cafe was broken into and the till stolen overnight on Friday. Thieves jemmied the front door to Cafe Narnia on Kamo Rd and stole a large black till from the counter, leaving behind a tip jar next to it.
Manager Mark Wilson said the cafe continued to trade yesterday initially only with eftpos until they were able to get a replacement till. He suspects the thieves had a car waiting on Kamo Rd. Anyone with information should contact Whangarei police on 09 430 4500.
Logging truck recovered
A logging truck and trailer unit, plus a load of logs, were successfully removed from bush off Otaika Valley Rd on Thursday.
The busy route used extensively by logging trucks heading to and from North Port was closed for much of the day as a crane was used to remove the rig and logs from bush. The salvage operation started about 10am and the road opened after 4pm.
Murder accused named
A man accused of murdering a Te Kao farmer can now be named. Interim name suppression for Marcus Bax lapsed this week in the High Court at Whangarei where he re-appeared on one charge of murder. Bax, 38, allegedly murdered Peter Linder Nilsson, 77, at his farm near Te Kao, on August 4 last year. Bax will reappear on June 1.
Re-enactment of crucifixion story
It's the most important festival on the Christian calendar and on Good Friday the story of the crucifixion of Jesus Christ will be dramatically illustrated in Whangarei, with hundreds expected to line the streets to watch the action unfold.
Members of the St Andrews Church and Whangarei Central Baptist Church will take part in a powerful play, in which Jesus hauls his wooden cross through the city while being taunted by Roman guards before being crucified.
Lorne Campbell, associate minister at St Andrews, said the Good Friday re-enactment of the betrayal, denial, trial and crucifixion of Christ is the reason for the sacred day. It will start from St Andrews Church, on the corner of Bank and Hunt Sts at 9.30am.
