Far North news in brief: Lighthouse stay popular; shot man stable and alcohol help

The Cape Brett historic lighthouse keeper’s cottage has been a popular place to stay since being reopened in November.

Lighthouse stay popular

Since it reopened last November, nearly 1200 people have stayed at Cape Brett’s historic lighthouse keeper’s cottage. The Department of Conservation (DoC) managed backcountry hut facility, which sleeps up to 23, was closed earlier last year for restoration after showing signs of wear and tear and a faulty water supply system. Since reopening, the meticulously restored cottage proved as popular as ever. DoC Bay of Islands operations manager Bronwyn Bauer-Hunt said 1199 visitors booked to enjoy the hut’s stunning view over the Pacific Ocean and Northland’s Hole in the Rock. Many visitors tramped the full eight-hour route from Oke Bay to the hut while others shortened the walking distance to two hours by getting a water taxi to drop them off at Deep Water Cove. The cottage is perched on the tip of rugged Cape Brett Peninsula under Rakaumangamanga, a mountain renowned as a waypoint for Polynesian navigators.

Shot man stable

A man who was allegedly shot in Mangōnui in the early hours of January 8 remains in hospital in a stable condition. Police said their inquiries remain ongoing however they believed the incident was isolated. The local community was left unsettled following the alleged shooting which happened around 3.40am on Mary Hassett St in Mangōnui. Some residents reported hearing a man in pain and calling for help. The victim was airlifted to hospital in a critical condition and a heavy police presence was felt that day. On Friday police said inquiries were continuing to locate the offender. They did not directly respond to queries on Monday about whether the alleged offender had been located and charged.

Pedestrian hit

A pedestrian was airlifted to Whangārei Base Hospital in a serious condition after being hit by a car around 12.40pm on Monday, police say. The crash occurred on West Coast Rd in Waipapakauri near Awanui in the Far North. Hato Hone St John responded with one ambulance and one helicopter.

Alcohol help

People with alcohol issues, including their families and friends, can attend a public meeting with Alcoholics Anonymous in the Bay of Islands on Saturday. Al-Anon and Alateen say not everybody trapped by alcohol is an alcoholic and friends and families are suffering too. The public meeting is at Copthorne Hotel and Resort, Waitangi, from 7.30pm to 9pm on Saturday. For more details go to https://al-anon.org.nz/ or ring 0508425266.

Attack dog put down

The dog that attacked an 8-year-old child on Taipā Beach just before Christmas has been destroyed. Far North District Council confirmed the dog was surrendered to council for ‘immediate destruction’ following the December 18 attack. The dog owner and the mother of the child were friends and together at the beach at the time of the incident and the child’s mother did not want further enforcement action once the dog was euthanised. Regarding a separate attack on a Northland woman at Taipā Beach on December 4, the council has still not identified or found the dogs involved.

Crash victim named

Police have named the woman who died in a crash on State Highway 10, Waipapa, in the Far North on December 28 as Mandy Rita Simpson, 35, of Waipapa. Police said their thoughts are with her family and loved ones at this difficult time and inquiries into the circumstances of the crash are ongoing.