Tourism spend up and other Whanganui news in brief

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Tourism spend up
The latest Monthly Regional Tourism Estimates released by the Ministry of Business, Innovation and Employment (MBIE) yesterday show the tourism spend for Manawatu-Whanganui is estimated to be $999 million for the year to May 2018, up four per cent compared with the year to May 2017.

Details withheld
Police have not yet released details of a man who died in a crash on State Highway 1 at Utiku, south of Taihape, early on Thursday. Police were alerted that a van had gone over a bank near Mickelsons Rd about 3.40am. The road was closed until around 5.45am.

Pilot graduates
Seven Royal New Zealand Air Force pilots will graduate today at the RNZAF Base in Ohakea. Training spanned two years, using T-6C Texan II planes to fly for more than 200 hours. The new pilots will receive their brevets from Minister of Defence Ron Mark.

Plan adopted
After 42 submissions and input from region mayors, Horizons Regional Council has adopted its 2018-28 Regional Land Transport Plan. The plan was up for a three-year review.

Driver sentenced
A man was sentenced in Whanganui District Court for driving with excess breath alcohol for a fourth time. Michael Terence Carr was handed three months' community detention and nine months' supervision by Judge Garry Barkle. He was also disqualified from driving.

Unveiling today
The refurbished Lion monument on the Veterans' Steps at Queen's Park will be unveiled and blessed today. The monument was removed for restoration and cleaning in March. It marks the graves of 17 men killed at the Battle of Nukumaru in 1865 and was sculpted by Whanganui artist George Sheriff. People are asked to be at the site at 9.15am for the 9.30am ceremony.

Collision at Bulls
State Highway 1 at the Bulls Bridge was briefly blocked after a two-car collision about 10am yesterday. The accident happened at the north end of the bridge. Police said there were no injuries.

RSA on market
Whanganui's Returned and Services Association (RSA) building is on the market because that club is to amalgamate with the city's Cosmopolitan Club. The RSA will close on either August 31 or September 8. A manager has yet to be appointed for the new club, and members must choose a name for it by July 9. The new club is to open on October 1.

Nominations open
Nominations are open to represent Palmerston North in a seat on Horizons Regional Council. The seat was vacated by the death of councillor Pat Kelly in early June. Nominations close on July 26. More informati