They will then perform at two live invitation-only Semi-Final concerts on July 21 and 22 in Wellington, where Gasteen will select the five finalists who will go on to perform with the New Zealand Symphony Orchestra at the Lexus Song Quest Grand Final Gala, on July 28 at the Auckland Town Hall.
"Getting to compete as a Semi-Finalist in the Lexus Song Quest is an honour," Boom said. "It's a culmination of years of hard work."
Together with another semi-finalist, baritone Jonathan Eyers, Boom will be performing at a benefit concert at The Old Library Arts Centre tomorrow from 7pm. All funds raised will go towards Boom's study expenses.
Police investigate slashing spree
Those responsible for the slashing of tyres around Whangārei are still being sought by police. Officers continue to investigate the slashing spree that happened last Friday night and Saturday morning and led to 65 people making reports to police. Three cars were also set on fire during the same period. Vehicles, plus a truck and some trailers were damaged in Kamo, Kensington, Tikipunga, Onerahi and Maunu.
North gains six police constables
Six new constables from the latest wing to graduate from the Royal New Zealand Police College at Porirua will be returning to join stations in Northland.
The constables were part of creating history on Thursday as part of the greatest number of women in a recruit wing. The four females and two males will join Whangārei, Kaitaia and mid north stations when they start work on July 9. There were 42 female constables and 36 male constables in Wing 315.
Man swept off rocks named
The Australian visitor who died after being swept off rocks in the Far North was Leonard William George West, 48, from Melbourne.
West died on Tuesday afternoon. His body was recovered from the water and taken to Kaitaia. He had been holidaying with family. A rahui has been placed on Spirits Bay.
Police seek two people following pursuit
Video of a low-speed police pursuit around the rocks at Te Kohanga, Ahipara, on Thursdays prompted a mixed public response.
Some saw it as funny, others as outrageous behaviour by the fleeing driver, and a few as a waste of taxpayers' money. The pursuing officer said he had just wanted to have a quiet word with the driver about the condition of his Mitsubishi RVR, including the lack of a muffler. The registered owner had told police that the car had changed hands the day before the incident. The pursuit began near Ahipara, proceeding along Foreshore Rd at a speed of 45kmh, reaching 70kmh on the road to Te Kohanga. The driver then took to the beach and headed for the rocks, with the police 4WD in pursuit.The fleeing driver performing a U-turn and heading back to Te Kohanga, at about which time the police vehicle blew a tyre, and the pursuit was over. The Mitsubishi was later found abandoned at the Gumfields lookout. Police continue to search for two people involved.
Lemons Hill work resumes
Work has begun again this week on Lemons Hill after being temporarily closed while Worksafe investigated.
NZTA said WorkSafe cleared the Lemons Hill site on Thursday after deciding an abseiler's fall onsite was caused by an unrelated medical condition. The man was hydro-seeding on a slope when he fell and bruised his shoulder. Work on the site resumed on Thursday with the road open to one lane traffic under stop/go management.
