Northland news in brief

NDHB wants permission to build a primary health care facility at Bay of Islands Hospital, in Kawakawa.

Permission sought for Kawakawa healthcare centre

The Northland District Health Board has asked the Health Ministry for permission to build a primary healthcare centre on the Kawakawa hospital site after Ngati Hine Heath Trust pulled out of the project due to ballooning costs.

Board officials travelled to Wellington on Monday where they met officials from the Ministry of Health and its Capital Investment Committee to request approval and funding for the project.

The health board is currently carrying out a $9.9 million upgrade of Bay of Islands Hospital.

Ngati Hine Heath Trust was to have built a "wellness centre" next door for $8m but pulled out in July as the expected building costs soared. Health board members subsequently voted to take over the project, though the health centre design is likely to be modified.

Chief executive Nick Chamberlain said the board was still committed to working with Ngati Hine Health Trust to create a whanau-centred, co-located facility that aligned with the 'neighbourhood healthcare home' model of care.

Store to reopen

Whangarei's former Furniture City store will reopen its doors on Monday rebranded as Smiths City. The 1980sq m store, at 27 Porowini Ave, is the first of three North Island Furniture City stores to be rebranded after Smiths City bought the trio early in 2016.

Wairau Park (North Shore) and Mt Wellington will follow suit later this year. Roy Campbell, chief executive of Smiths City Group, said Whangarei was an important market for the national retailer as it continued to grow its presence in the North Island.

Course for migrants

A free "Getting Ready for Work" course for migrants to Whangarei will start on September 27. The 45-hour course will run on Wednesdays and Thursdays at Multicultural Whangarei on Bank St and topics such as looking at skills, values and goals, job search, creating a CV and cover letter, completing application forms, interview techniques, employer expectations and English in the workplace will be covered.

Tutor Jenny Huddleston said between 10 and 12 participants were ideal and they needed to enrol by September 22. Contact Multicultural Whangarei at 430 0571 or email whangareimc@gmail.com) to book a place.

Man remanded

A Northlander facing a charge of being in possession of methamphetamine and driving while being disqualified has been remanded in custody. No pleas were taken when Shane Legg, 33, a gib stopper of Ruawai, appeared in the Whangarei District Court yesterday on both charges.

The alleged offences were committed in Whangarei yesterday. Legg will re-appear on September 12.

Guest lecturer

The next guest lecture at Te Kongahu Museum of Waitangi is by Associate Professor Maartje Abbenhuis, who will argue that the imperial expansion, industrialisation and globalisation of the 19th century shaped the modern world.

Her talk will be delivered at 2pm this Sunday and is called Age of war? Age of empire? Age of neutrality? Thinking about war and imperialism around the world 1815-1914. Entry is free to Friends of Waitangi and Treaty Grounds day pass holders.