Far North news in brief: Double Lotto luck; fire restrictions in place and clubhouse opens

Lotto second division-winning tickets worth $12,697 each have been sold in the Far North.

Double Lotto luck

Two tickets sold in the Far North each won their holder more than $12,000 with Lotto second division last Wednesday night.

The tickets - sold at Pak’nSave Kaitāia and Waipapa Dairy - were among 32 nationwide that each won $12,697 in the draw. Two of the other tickets were sold on MyLotto in Northland.

The winning numbers were 8, 11, 12, 17, 21 and 24 with the bonus number 9 and Powerball number 10.

Fire restrictions in Far North

Most of Northland has moved to an open fire season as the risk of wildfire decreases, but restrictions are in place in the Far North.

From yesterday the restricted fire season was dropped for most of the region until further notice. However, at the same time Ahipara, Te Aupouri Peninsula and Karikari Peninsula moved to a restricted fire season.

An open fire season means people can light outdoor fires without a permit from Fire and Emergency New Zealand. A restricted fire season means you need a fire permit approved by Fire and Emergency to light a fire in the open.

In Northland, the restricted fire area boundary runs from the northern side of State Highway 10 from Taipa to Awanui, west of SH1 to Kaitāia, the north side of Kaitaia-Awaroa Rd to Wainui, the west side of Kaitāia-Awaroa Rd Wainui to Herekino, and the northern side of the Herekino Harbour.

Anyone who is unsure of the current fire season status and whether they can light a fire, should go to www.checkitsalright.nz to check.

Port chief in fast-track team

Rosie Mercer of Northland’s Marsden Maritime Holdings is one of six experts to recommend fast-track projects. The Fast Track Approvals Bill aims to make it easier to build regionally and nationally significant projects, according to Regional Development Minister Shane Jones and RMA Reform Minister Chris Bishop. In addition to Mercer, who is CEO of
Marsden Maritime Holdings - formerly known as Northland Port Corporation - the group members are David Tapsell, Vaughan Wilkinson, David Hunt, Mark Davey and Murray Parrish. Public or private projects can now apply for fast-tracking under the bill.

Clubhouse opens

A $13 million retirement village clubhouse was officially opened in Kerikeri recently. The clubhouse, called Te Ripo Wai, is located at Arvida Te Puna Waiora on Hall Rd. It will be the home of exercise, activity groups, events and celebrations for the residents of the village and features a library, conservatory, lounge and bar, and outdoor area. Te Rūnanga o Ngāti Rēhia Charitable Trust chairman Kipa Munro opened the ceremony, which was attended by Far North Mayor Moko Tepania, the development team, contractors, Arvida staff and residents. Arvida chief executive Jeremy Nicoll said Te Ripo Wai is a welcome addition to the community of 70 residents who call Arvida Te Puna Waiora home.

Teen dies in crash

A teenager has died after his car left the road and hit a tree while he was driving to work in the Far North.

The single-vehicle crash occurred on Wehirua Rd, near Ōkaihau, just after 8.30am on April 8..

The 18-year-old driver, the car’s sole occupant, was critically injured and died at the scene. Police, volunteer firefighters from Kaikohe and Ōkaihau, St John Ambulance and the police Serious Crash Unit responded.

An investigation into the cause of the crash is continuing.