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National News
Police prevention campaign a success
Operation Presence was an initiative born in the Western Bay of Plenty which today was extended across the entire district and will continue into the future.
It was all hands on deck; from senior management through to front line constables. This included the District Commander Superintendent Glenn Dunbier who joined the team out in Kawerau where he visited victims of crime, carried out road safety checks and assisted at a search warrant in Te Teko where nearly 60 cannabis plants were located.
Other staff visited licensed premises, hotels, schools, second-hand dealers, retailers, tourist locations, and carried out crime prevention leaflet drops. Police located a number of people who were wanted for arrest and paid visits to high risk youths and people on bail conditions.
Prevention Manager, Inspector Scott Fraser said: "Victims were a big focus of today's operation with visits to a number who had suffered burglaries or family violence. In one case police have had to respond over 30 times to a couple as a result of family violence incidents. Each of those occasions has the potential to tie two officers up for up to four hours. Today was an opportunity to speak to that couple when tempers were calm and alcohol wasn't a factor. During that meeting we were able to discuss positive interventions to stop the cycle and prevent further incidents of family violence. They were pleased we had taken the time to go and see them and were receptive to the advice and help being offered. It was a similar theme with all of the victims visited today."
"All of the activity undertaken is routinely carried out during day-to-day business but some of our staff and management are in roles that are incredibly important to policing but don't always provide them with the opportunity to have quality face-to-face time with members of the public in the heart of our communities.
"Feedback from the staff has also been incredibly positive. They are often so busy responding to emergency incidents that they found it refreshing to be out their problem-solving and working with the community to prevent crime rather than simply responding to it."
Bank will help Kiwis unlock property dreams
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| Photo [file] |
The ANZ Property Unlocked Speaker Series brings together industry experts for a series of public seminars to help buyers through the steps to home ownership.
The six free seminars cover how to buy a first home, how to buy at auction, maximising the value of existing property, buying property for people who are new to New Zealand, and how to become a property investor.
“Buying a home can be a difficult and confusing process. This series arms people with the knowledge they need to avoid the pitfalls and to be in control of one of the biggest purchases of their lives,” said ANZ Retail Managing Director Kerri Thompson.
“The series will also benefit those who are investing in property or renovating property.
We’ve sourced industry experts* to share their experience and knowledge with buyers, renovators and investors,” she said.
The series, which begins in Auckland at the end of February, is expected to be rolled out around New Zealand later in the year.
ANZ has also launched a new package to help New Zealanders save for a home deposit.
ANZ First Home combines all ANZ’s products, services and resources that first-home buyers need.
“For most home buyers, the first step – saving the deposit – is the biggest challenge of all. Staying focused on a major savings goal isn’t easy, especially when it can take months or years,” Mrs Thompson said.
“We wanted to make it easy for home buyers and help keep them on track – from deciding what their target deposit is, to tracking their savings against this target, to providing them information that they need at the time they need it."
Customers can view their progress on the ANZ First Home website, which displays a virtual house that starts from the foundations and comes together as a buyer’s savings grow.
At certain milestones, customers will receive emails marking their progress and providing tips and tricks relevant to that stage.
ANZ is also giving away a $10,000 prize to kick-start the deposit of a customer who registers by 31 March 2013.
Maori students to represent Warriors at youth summit
Four high-achieving Maori secondary school students have been confirmed as the first Vodafone Warriors representatives at the annual All Stars Indigenous Youth Summit being held in Brisbane from February 5-10.
The Australian Rugby League Commission (ARLC) has organised the event to recognise outstanding achievement and application to education, culture and the community by selecting a total of 64 young Aboriginal, Torres Strait Islander (Indigenous Australian) and New Zealand Maori students from all 16 NRL clubs.
The summit is held in conjunction with the annual All Stars match, which will be played at Suncorp Stadium for the first time on February 9.
Two of the pupils chosen as the Vodafone Warriors’ representatives - Matiu Love-Henry (17) from Taupo and Dane Clark (16) from Tokoroa - travelled to Auckland to meet staff and players and were also shown around the club’s facilities at Mount Smart Stadium on Thursday.
The two girls selected - Savannah Matua (16) from Manukau City and Nikita McGruer (15) from Tauranga - visited the club of the Vodafone Warriors on Friday.
As well as being chosen for the summit, the promising Love-Henry has recently been signed as a development player by the Vodafone Warriors.
Tribal (iwi affiliations) for McGruer, who attends Te Wharekura o Mauao in Tauranga, are Ngati Porou/Ngati Haua while Matua, a student at Te Kura Maori o Nga Tapuwae in Auckland, is Ngati Whatua/Te Atiawa.
Clark (Tokoroa High School) is Tainui/Ngati Porou and Love-Heny, who attends Taupo’s Te Kura Kaupapa Maori o Whakarewa i Te Reo Ki Tuwharetoa, is Ngati Tuwharetoa/Ngati Awa.
All Stars team captains Johnathan Thurston and Benji Marshall and their team-mates will teach life-skills to the 64 students when they gather in Brisbane next month.
The event is part of the 2013 All Stars Week and will see students arrive in Brisbane on Tuesday, February 5, for mentoring and life skills workshops with both the Indigenous All Stars and NRL All Stars team members.
Activities will include physical challenges, career-advice training and job interview sessions, as well as attending the All Stars Community Festival and DEEWR Learn Earn Legend! Jobs Expo (February 8). They will also play a role in the pre-match entertainment at Suncorp Stadium before the All Stars game.
Students from Melbourne and New Zealand will take part in the summit for the first time, with others travelling from areas as remote as Weipa in the Gulf of Carpentaria and Mount Isa in north-west Queensland.
"This year’s group consist of students from extremely diverse walks of life," said NRL General Manager for Community, Culture and Diversity Trish Crews.
"For the first time we have been able to invite participants from every club and we extend a special welcome to our attendees from across the Tasman.
"We have students who have grown up in highly populated suburbs including Punchbowl (NSW), Caboolture (QLD) and Reservoir (VIC), spending the week with students from areas as remote as Charter Towers and towns and communities with populations of no more than 8000 people.
"There is a great opportunity for the group to learn from our Indigenous All Stars who have only just completed their own Indigenous Players Camp on the weekend prior as well as the NRL All Stars, coaches, mentors and their own peers."
Top fishing spots in the Bay
Hayley gives you an insight into the top fishing spots in the Bay without having to jump aboard a boat.
1. Thornton Beach Whakatane - You’ll find a popular spot for catching whitebait to one side of this harbour while the other side offers a convenient wharf to reel in a catch.
2. Kaituna Falls Scenic Reserve Maketu - Surf cast from the beach end or try the harbour where you can snap up a lot of herring and, if you’re lucky, you just might score a Kawhai!
4. Bwentown Beach - This white sandy beach stretches for 8km from Bowentown to Waihi Beach. Either surf cast along the beach or fish inside Tauranga harbour beyond the Bowentown entrance.
5. Moturiki Island - Fish off the island’s rocks but be careful of high tides and waves that could through you off balance. Best to follow the locals in choosing a secure fishing spot on Moturiki.
Let Hayley know what you think email Hayley.Storey@theboplive.com
Let Hayley know what you think email Hayley.Storey@theboplive.com
Child run over by trailer
A 6-year-old has been taken to Tauranga hospital after being run over by a trailer.
Reports the boy fell from a Ute and got run over by a trailer at a property in Manoeka Road in Te Puke.
A St John Ambulance spokesman said the young child was taken to Tauranga in a serious condition.
Police are investigating the incident.
Anglers counting down to summer streams opening
Anglers are counting down to the opening of a number of Rotorua streams for summer fishing – now with even more waters for spin fishing enthusiasts.
In a fresh move to simplify the rules and encourage spin fishing, this method will now be permitted in the Utuhina Stream, between Devon Street Bridge and Pukehangi Road Bridge, from December 1. The upper section of the Ngongotaha remains fly fishing only.
Eastern Region Fish & Game Officer Matt Osborne says it’s one of the changes to the regulations to encourage more novices and youngsters into the sport.
Mr Osborne says these streams have been closed from the end of June through winter and spring because they’re such important trout spawning tributaries. “We don’t want the stream beds disturbed or trout redds (nests) trodden on.”
We’ve seen trout in healthy numbers in the last few weeks while we’ve been out doing maintenance on access tracks,” Mr Osborne says.
Some big browns also start to head up the streams in November and December as Lake Rotorua warms and they seek out cooler water.
These brown trout are hungry predators and target large food items including trout fry. “This lends itself to successful spinning, as spinning lures simulate small swimming fish.
“As the water temperatures in the lakes rises, the brown trout start hanging around the stream mouths before pushing up them.
“Anglers who fish the stream mouths at night over the next few weeks should be able to target them successfully. After dark the browns become more aggressive, going on the prowl for food,” Mr Osborne says.
More experienced anglers also turn out to fly fish these streams from early December, using their knowledge of what summer insects the trout are now feeding on.
Fish & Game has taken the usual seasonal steps to make life easier for anglers, ensuring easy access to fishing spots along the streams and rivers. This includes the grooming of tracks leading to the Ngongotaha and Waiteti streams, and spraying for blackberry and gorse.
Meanwhile, anglers who want to get away from it all have rivers and lakes on the East Coast to choose from. They range from Lake Waikaremoana’s tributary streams such as the Mokau and Hopuruahine which also open from the start of December.
Anglers should visit local specialist fishing stores for the latest tips and advice on what lures are working. Fish & Game can also provide ‘where and how’ advice by phone or email.
Fish & Game says with the changes to spin fishing regulations in particular, anglers are urged to check their Sport Fishing Regulations 2012-2013. It is also very important that anglers follow the “Check, Clean and Dry” practice to prevent the spread of aquatic pests such as didymo when moving between fishing waters.
Rangers will be on patrol along the streams from opening day, checking to see anglers are carrying trout fishing licences, and sticking to other rules.
if in any doubt on the new rules and regs, please contact Fish & Game and we’ll be happy to advise you. Phone us on 07-357 5501.
Free books hit the road for the ultimate tiki-tour
Thousands of books by New Zealand and international authors are about to begin an epic journey toward unknown final destinations which might be anywhere around the globe.
The books will be freely distributed around dozens of towns and cities throughout New Zealand - each book with a label inviting the public to take it, read it, then pass it on.
The books, more than 4,000 in all, are part of the "Travelling Books" project, an initiative by Literacy Aotearoa and New Zealand Post designed to foster a love of reading, and of sharing books which bring people enjoyment.
Now in its second year, the Travelling Books project is being launched tonight (Wednesday 31 October) at Government House in Auckland by the Governor-General, Lt Gen The Rt Hon Sir Jerry Mateparae and Lady Janine Mateparae.
Once launched, the books will begin their journeys by being left in public locations in the following centres:
Invercargill Gore Queenstown
Oamaru Timaru Dunedin
Ashburton Christchurch Greymouth
Westport Blenheim Nelson Wellington Lower Hutt Porirua Upper Hutt Featherston Masterton
Paraparaumu Feilding Levin Dannevirke Palmerston North Whanganui New Plymouth Napier Gisborne
Wairoa Turangi Taupo Te Kuiti Tokoroa Rotorua Hamilton Tauranga Thames
Pukekohe Manukau Waiheke Island Waitakere North Shore Auckland Central Dargaville Whangarei Kaitaia
The free books - nearly 100 different titles - include works by household names such as John Grisham and Margaret Mahy; alongside works by beloved authors like Albert Wendt and Joy Cowley; and less well-known treasures by a range of local and international authors.
"The Travelling Books project is born of the understanding that sharing the pleasure of reading books with others is hugely rewarding," says Literacy Aotearoa CEO, Bronwyn Yates.
"The initiative aims to spread the joy of reading, by sharing fiction and non-fiction titles, making the exciting worlds of children’s, young adult and adult books readily available to New Zealanders everywhere.
"If it also helps to raise people’s awareness that adult literacy need is a major national issue, which prevents a great many New Zealanders from enjoying this pleasure, then that’s even better," Bronwyn Yates added.
New Zealand Post has a strong tradition of promoting reading and, as sponsor of both the New Zealand Post Book Awards and the New Zealand Post Children’s Book Awards, was a natural partner for Literacy Aotearoa on this project.
New Zealand Post’s head of sponsorship Nicola Airey says the Travelling Books project is a fun and innovative way to promote reading amongst New Zealanders, by making books available to those who otherwise may not be able to access them.
"The simple act of passing on a book you’ve enjoyed to someone else reinforces the joys of sharing and recommending books to others," Nicola Airey said.
Travelling Book spotters can recognise the new releases by a distinctive sticker on the cover. Inside they will find instructions on how to pass the books on once they’ve finished. They can hand them on to a friend or colleague or, even better, leave them in a safe dry, public space, where they can be found anew by passers-by, who can take them home and discover for themselves the pleasure of reading freely shared books.
The books will be sent on their journey around the country by the 45 member providers of Literacy Aotearoa, who will work with local PostShops to liberate them into their communities. Literacy Aotearoa has developed a system to monitor these migratory volumes: each book has a unique code inside the front cover; anyone who picks it up and reads it, is invited to log on to the Literacy Aotearoa website and record its location.
Everyone who reports a book sighting goes into a monthly draw to win a $50 gift voucher.
The books were purchased from Huia Publishers, Random House, Gecko Press and Scholastic - who offered generous discounts to help support the Travelling Books project.
For more information see: www.literacy.org.nz
Man arrested for robbery and kidnap
The owners of Amber Dairy on Bridge Street were robbed at gunpoint on Saturday night (13 October) as they locked up the shop.
Yesterday police arrested a 24-year-old local man. He has since been charged with aggravated robbery and kidnapping and will appear at Tokoroa District Court this morning.
As the case is before the court there will be no further comment.
NZ falcon wins Bird of the Year
The New Zealand falcon (karearea) has been crowned Bird of the Year in Forest & Bird’s eighth annual poll.
This year 10,292 votes were cast in this fiercely contested poll, with the karearea snatching 1261 votes in total, followed by the kokako (965) and the ruru (663).
“The karearea is a bird that’s most worthy of the title Bird of the Year,” says Forest & Bird Advocacy Manager Kevin Hackwell.
“As well as being a top predator that can reach speeds of up to 230km an hour and catch prey mid-flight, it’s a great romantic. During courtship, couples will perform an aerial ballet, swapping food mid-flight, performing mock attack dives or spiralling gracefully landward.”
Despite being an aerial daredevil, it is vulnerable to predation when nesting on the ground and is listed as ”threatened”.
A recent Department of Conservation study suggests that adult falcons are less able to defend their nest from predators than previously thought. “The NZ falcon nests on rocky ledges or on the ground, making it particularly vulnerable to predators such as cats, hedgehogs, stoats, weasels and possums.”
Each year, Forest & Bird volunteers put in thousands of pest-busting hours to keep safe threatened native birds such as the NZ falcon.
In the 2012 Bird of the Year poll, bird ambassadors fought hard to get their bird in the top spot and performed stunts from colouring competitions to sonnet performances. Saddleback campaigner Jackson James Wood even tattooed an image of his bird on to his bicep.
NZ falcon campaigner and comedian Raybon Kan was thrilled by his bird’s win. "I'm overjoyed that democracy has spoken. In tough times, the people need a hero. We need a bird that inspires us - an athletic bird that swoops from the sky, not some wheezy, pedestrian bird that's a waste of feathers,” he says.
“If you have feathers and can't fly, don't complain that you didn't win Bird of the Year. It'd be like Kim Dotcom trying to win Miss Universe. Not going to happen."
Karearea fast facts
• The falcon is found throughout New Zealand.
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• They can catch prey larger than themselves and will kill prey with a quick powerful bite to the neck.
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• Falcons are fully protected under the law but, unfortunately, some are still illegally shot.
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• The falcon flaps its wings rapidly, compared with the larger Australasian harrier, which flaps its wings slowly, or glides.
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Bird of the Year - Top 10
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• They can catch prey larger than themselves and will kill prey with a quick powerful bite to the neck.
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• Falcons are fully protected under the law but, unfortunately, some are still illegally shot.
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• The falcon flaps its wings rapidly, compared with the larger Australasian harrier, which flaps its wings slowly, or glides.
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Bird of the Year - Top 10
1. NZ falcon/karearea 1261
2. Kokako 965
3. Ruru/morepork 663
4. Kaka 598
5. Kakapo 461
6. Fantail/piwakawaka 458
7. Kea 436
8. Tui 399
9. Yellow-eyed penguin/hoiho 395
10. Kereru 347
2. Kokako 965
3. Ruru/morepork 663
4. Kaka 598
5. Kakapo 461
6. Fantail/piwakawaka 458
7. Kea 436
8. Tui 399
9. Yellow-eyed penguin/hoiho 395
10. Kereru 347
Bird of the Year facts
• Previous winners are the tui (2005), fantail (2006), grey warbler (2007), kakapo (2008), kiwi (2009), kakariki (2010) and pukeko (2011).
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• 2012 celebrity campaigners included David Slack/kokako, Te Radar/skua, Nikki Kaye/kakariki, Russel Norman/ruru (morepork), Ruth Dyson/mohua (yellowhead), Pita Sharples/godwit, Rebecca Smalley/fairy tern and Graeme Hill/grey warbler.
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• Last year, the poll got 7851 votes.
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• This is the first year that people have been able to donate to Forest & Bird when voting. A total of $2700 was raised for Forest & Bird’s work to protect all native birds.
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• 2012 celebrity campaigners included David Slack/kokako, Te Radar/skua, Nikki Kaye/kakariki, Russel Norman/ruru (morepork), Ruth Dyson/mohua (yellowhead), Pita Sharples/godwit, Rebecca Smalley/fairy tern and Graeme Hill/grey warbler.
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• Last year, the poll got 7851 votes.
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• This is the first year that people have been able to donate to Forest & Bird when voting. A total of $2700 was raised for Forest & Bird’s work to protect all native birds.
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Paki up for Homai Te Pakipaki Grand Final
The biggest night on Maori Television takes place this Friday with the live Grand Final of HOMAI TE PAKIPAKI.
Ten aspiring singers will take the stage at Auckland’s Logan Campbell Centre on Friday, October 12 at 8.30pm to compete for the mana of being the series six winner - and a $10,000 cash prize.
Hosted by Matai Smith and Pikiteora Mura-Hita, the Grand Final of the grassroots karaoke show is guaranteed to be a great night out.
In addition to the 10 finalists, entertainers including reggae band 1814, rising vocal star Grace Ikenasio and Urban Beat founder Tui Manuel will be performing throughout the evening.
Other guests include last year’s Grand Final winner Chad Chambers, former Silver Fern and CODE host Jenny-May Coffin, and Maori Television’s very own Julian Wilcox and Te Arahi Maipi.
Paki wardens Jason Fa’afoi and Brent Mio will be on patrol during the evening - so watch out - anything could happen.
Once the finalists have performed, it will once again fall to the text-voting audience to decide who will take home the HOMAI TE PAKIPAKI 2012 title.
The following 10 singers have been confirmed to sing for whanau, iwi and regional pride in the HOMAI TE PAKIPAKI Grand Final extravaganza:
PAKI 1 Tarryn Wallace - Waitara, Te Atiawa
PAKI 2 Whata Brown - Gisborne, Rongowhakaata, Kahungunu
PAKI 3 Cam Galbraith - Dairy Flat, Auckland, Ngai Te Rangi
PAKI 4 Brittany Teokotai - Tokoroa, Ngati Wai, Whatua
PAKI 5 Geoffrey Pari - Gisborne, Ngai Tuhoe
PAKI 6 Abbie Leigh - Tokoroa
PAKI 7 Trishamarie Kaiawe - Papakura, Ngapuhi, Tainui
PAKI 8 Hukanui Brown - Gisborne, Rongowhakaata
PAKI 9 Hoki Kepa - Lower Hutt, Arawa, Tuhoe, Ngati Awa
PAKI 10 Diane Tibble - Rotorua, Tuhoe, Ngati Porou
Tune in to the HOMAI TE PAKIPAKI Grand Final on Maori Television at 8.30pm on October 12.
Text your vote to 368, (text the word paki, leave one space then add the paki number) or come along to be part of the action at the Logan Campbell Centre, 217 Greenlane Rd West, Epsom, Auckland. Be sure to arrive early to be seated by 7.30pm. Entry is by gold coin koha which will go to the charity, St John.
Ironman effort from Husaberg ace!
One bike, one man, six hours – that’s an awful lot to ask for.
But that was exactly the plan for Tauranga’s Reece Burgess (Husaberg FE450), who not only won the ironman section of the big Six-Hour Dirt Bike Challenge on Saturday, but also threatened early on to steal away with the marathon event outright.
Te Awamutu’s Mark Penny and Queenstown’s Scotty Columb combined on a 450cc bike to eventually win the race, but they had a fight on their hands as Burgess led the way throughout the opening few laps, forcing an incredible pace.
Burgess (Husaberg FE450) had the lead soon after the shotgun blast sounded to signal the start, just after 9am on Saturday morning, and he quickly set a blistering pace on the undulating course, set out on forestry land midway between Taupo and Tokoroa.
“For the first couple of laps I had a bit of fun learning the course but I went hard while I knew I could. I rode conservatively after that to save energy. I knew I could afford to do that because I’d built up a gap on most of the field,” said the 33-year-old Burgess.
“I had figured on doing eight laps, but it was nine for me in the end. I just settled into a routine and cruised at the finish.”
Burgess eventually settled for fourth overall, easily good enough for him to win the ironman class title, ahead of Taupo’s Brad Groombridge, who came home seventh overall.
Race co-winner Columb, a motocross professional who works as a tour guide for Off-Road Adventures in Queenstown when he’s not racing, praised Burgess afterwards.
“I want to give credit to Reece Burgess. He was racing it as an ironman and he led for quite a while. He’s definitely going to have ‘monkey butt’ this week.”
Runners-up were the two-rider team of Auckland’s Chris Power and Palmerston North’s Adam Reeves, while third outright was the KTM pairing of Mike Skinner and Freddie Milford-Cottam, this combo with a particularly interesting tale of their own to tell.
In the event build-up, the pair had chosen to co-ride Milford-Cottam’s KTM XCW200, but that plan fell apart when Milford-Cottam became the victim of a burglary, his bike and the KTM 400 belonging to his father disappearing in the theft just a week before the big race.
But then fate played a hand.
“The police busted the house of a well known receiver of stolen goods, looking for a stolen Apple iPad that, unfortunately for the thieves, had a GPS tracker programme installed in it and so the police knew where to look,” Milford-Cottam explained. “The police had a look around the house and found the stolen bikes underneath a tarpaulin behind the building.
“We got the bike back on Monday and we rode it like we stole it today,” he laughed.
In all, KTM proved to be the most popular brand of all the manufacturer entries – of the bikes on the start line, 43 were KTM, 15 were Yamaha, 14 were Suzuki, 12 were Honda, five were Aprilia, five were Kawasaki, four were Husqvarna, three were Husaberg and one was a Gas Gas.
Only five teams or individuals completed nine laps in the six hours, with some combinations managing just three or four of the 32-kilometre laps.
Fatal head-on crash in Pongakawa
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| Map: Fatal head-on collision kills one and leaves another seriously injured in Pongakawa. |
Update: 6:08pm
Police are investigating a fatal head on crash that killed one and left one person seriously injured in Pongakawa.
The head on collision involving a hot rod and truck happened just after 3pm near Maniatutu Rd and Pongakawa School Rd.
Police are investigating after unconfirmed reports that another vehicle was involved in the crash but decamped from the scene towards Te Puke.
A northern communications spokesperson said emergency services from Tauranga, Te Puke and Maketu responded to the crash.
A rescue helicopter was also called in to airlift a man to Tauranga hospital.
The deceased person's name will not be released until next of kin has been notified.
The Police Serious crash unit are investigating.
No connection fees Ultrafast Fibre Broadband
Local fibre company, Ultrafast Fibre Ltd, is reminding homeowners in the eight centres where it is constructing its ultrafast broadband network that the company does not charge a residential connection fee.
“There has been some confusion across all markets about residential connection fees and we wanted to clear up any misconceptions about Ultrafast Fibre charges.
“Ultrafast Fibre will build a fibre connection from the fibre network, at a property’s boundary, to the customer’s house and up to 10 metres inside the house to reach the termination point. There will be no charge for this – full stop.”
“There has been a lot of talk about non standard connection charges. With our build all residential connections are classed as standard, so no non-standard charges will apply.
“This is a benefit for the retailers offering services off our network and a savings they can choose to pass along to end consumers,” explains Maxine Elliott, CEO of Ultrafast Fibre Ltd.
Ultrafast Fibre is laying fibre in eight centres across the Central North Island, including: Hamilton, Tauranga, Wanganui, New Plymouth, Cambridge, Te Awamutu, Tokoroa and Hawera.
The first residential connections have begun in both Hamilton and Tauranga and will begin in the other six centres by 1 January.
Homeowners living in one of these eight centres can enter their address into a tool on the Ultrafast Fibre website – www.ultrafastfibre.co.nz – to find out when the local fibre network will pass their home, enabling them to receive ultrafast broadband services from their preferred retailer.
Police investigate Te Puke stabbing
"At about 9.45 pm Friday 27 July 2012 Police were called to a residential address in Te Puke, where they found 3 persons with stab wounds.
Police located a 4th male, who had been beaten with a hockey stick, at a second address.
All four persons were admitted to Tauranga Hospital with serious injuries.
Detective Senior Sergeant Greg Turner said a male remains in the intensive care unit, in a stable condition, whilst a second male remains on a general ward. A third victim has been discharged.
The fourth male, a 35 year old fruit picker has been charged with assault and has been remanded in custody to appear in the Tauranga District Court on Monday 30th July 2012.
The arrested male will face further charges when he appears in court on Monday.
Te Puke Police wish to speak to person who may have witnessed the assaults or otherwise have information that will assist the Police to piece together the events.
Anyone with information relevant to this investigation is asked to contact Te Puke Police on 07 5774300. Alternatively information can be provided anonymously via Crimestoppers on 0800 555111."
Vehicle crash on SH2 (UPDATE)
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| Photo: Wayne Cockburn |
The accident involving two utility vehicles happened just after 8.30am near the Rangiuru meat works plant.
A St John Ambulance spokesperson said the driver of one of the vehicles was cut free from the vehicle and taken to Tauranga hospital in a serious condition.
Police are investigating the accident.
Top karters head to Te Puke
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TOP KARTER: Christchurch's Scott Manson will be in
Te Puke this weekend apart of the
KartSport Bay of Plenty's
big Mi Sedaap Pro Kart Series/Gen-i - Photo: Kart Sport.
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The country's top karters head to the Bay of Plenty this weekend to contest KartSport Bay of Plenty's big Mi Sedaap Pro Kart Series/Gen-i Kartstars Rotax Max Challenge of New Zealand meeting.
The two-day meeting at the Fagan's Valley Raceway between Te Puke and Papamoa hosts the third round of this year's Mi Sedaap series for KZ2 and KF3 karts and the fourth round of the Gen-i Rotax Max Challenge of New Zealand for 125cc Rotax-powered karts.
Previous rounds of each series have been held at separate meetings but from this weekend on they will share top billing at the same meetings.
That makes for a busy couple of days but is a major boost for fans of top-level karting with over 120 drivers providing non-stop action from Saturday morning to late Sunday afternoon.
Drivers in both categories will be competing for more than points as well, Rotax Max Challenge series promoter Right Karts announcing that competitors in the three classes, Right Karts 125cc Rotax Max Light, Arai Helmets Junior Max and Strata Networks 125cc Rotax Max Heavy, will compete for a pole position cash purse of $200 per class.
Commenting on the move series organizer Tony Chambers said;
"The series is really hotting up and we have some close positions in all three classes. It is especially pleasing this weekend to see the largest field to date in the Junior Max class."
The organisers of the Mi Sedaap Pro Kart Series are also offering prize money with $1000 per round up for grabs in their (Junior) KF3 support class.
Heading the points in the Right Karts 125cc Rotax Max Light class heading into the weekend's meeting is defending class title holder and 2012 series round one winner Daniel Kinsman from Auckland with competition expected to come from round two winner Daniel Connor from Helensville and Kinsman's older brother Mathew who beat both to the flag in the Final at round three.
Christchurch's Scott Manson leads the points standings in Arai Formula Junior after claiming victory at the first two rounds, but Palmerston North driver Josh Drysdale is within striking distance after finally managing to get the better of Manson at the third round.
Hawke's Bay driver Zack Zaloum, meanwhile, heads the points standings in the Strata Networks 125cc Rotax Max Heavy class after three class round wins from three starts.
Former rally ace Andrew Grant is second in his reborn career as a karter with defending class title holder Aarron Cunningham from Auckland third.
Grant also leads the Masters points standings from fellow Aucklander Stuart Marshall, Daryl Crighton from Palmerston North and local driver Niki Urwin.
In the Mi Sedaap (instant noodles) Pro Kart series the big story is the on-going rivalry between Auckland internationals Ryan Grant and Daniel Bray in the premier KZ2 class.
Both have been overseas this year preparing for the World KZ2 Championship meeting in Italy in September, with Bray only just home in time for this weekend's meeting having contested the third and fourth rounds of SuperKarts USA's Pro Tour series - for which he is the defending champion in the premier S1 class - at the Miller Motorsport Park in Utah last weekend.
Aucklander Mark Lane, meanwhile, currently leads the KZ2 Masters class points standings with defending title holder Tom Curran from the Hawke's Bay second and Aucklander Steve Brown third.
One driver who will be particularly busy this weekend is Josh Drysdale from Palmerston North.
As well as being second in the Arai Formula Junior (Rotax Max Challenge) points standings, he also leads the standings in the Mi Sedaap series's KF3 class and intends contesting both classes this weekend.
The Fagan's Valley track will be open for testing on Friday with qualifying and the first heats on Saturday and subsequent heats, Pre-Finals and Finals on Sunday.
Daniel Bray has work to do to retain title
Kiwi karting international Daniel Bray has been left with some work to do if he is to retain his SuperKarts USA Pro Tour S1 class title after a tough second double-header round in Utah over the weekend.
Though the Aucklander adapted quickly to the Miller Motorsports Park circuit, qualifying second to first double-header round winner Joey Wimsett on Saturday, he could manage only fifth in the main event that day then eighth in the main event - after qualifying fifth - on Sunday.
"We just struggled with the set-up all weekend," the 24-year-old said from the United States this morning. "We were OK in qualifying because we could do a good time for a couple of laps before the kart started gripping up. But it was weird. We tried everything to dial the grip out but nothing, and I mean nothing, we tried - and which would have worked at any other track - seemed to work there."
Works CRG driver Wimsett was the dominant force over the weekend, setting the quickest lap time in both qualifying sessions before winning both heats and the main on Saturday and the first heat on Sunday.
A chain derailment saw him slip to 15th at the line in the second heat but he fought back in the main event, working his way back up the field from 15th place to third in a race won by CRG teammate and 2010 class title holder Fritz Leesmann.
Leesmann now leads Wimsett in the class series points standings with Bray third.
Bray now returns to New Zealand on Thursday to prepare for the third round of this year's Mi Sedaap New Zealand Pro Kart Series at KartSport Bay of Plenty's Fagan's Valley Raceway near Te Puke.
After two rounds 2010 series class winner Bray currently lies second to long-time rival and 2011 champion Ryan Grant in the premier KZ2 class.
The pair are again joint favourites heading into this weekend's meeting, as they will be at the fourth series round back in Auckland at the end of August.
After that meeting they then head to Europe where they will contest the KZ2 class at this year's World Championship meeting at Sarno in Italy.
Te Puke grower all set to win this weekend
The best of New Zealand’s growing talent will be going head-to-head this month in a bid to win the title of Young Grower of the Year at Auckland’s Ellerslie Event Centre, on Monday 23 July.
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| Bay of Plenty Grower of the Year hopeful Joel Wanhill |
The growers will participate in a day-long event testing a range of practical and business skills such as driving a tractor, resource management, innovation and irrigation. There will be a Ballance Leadership Panel Session where the young growers will speak on their views on biosecurity and take part in an open discussion about the future of the horticulture industry.
The growers will also give a three minute speech to over 400 delegates at the Horticulture New Zealand annual conference dinner with the winner being announced later that evening.
This will be the fourth year of the Young Grower of the Year competition run by Horticulture New Zealand. The competition is supported by platinum sponsor NZ Horticentre Trust and others, who recognise and celebrate young leaders in the horticulture industry with both excellent technical skills and leadership capabilities.
Andrew Fenton, President of Horticulture New Zealand, is a strong advocate of the competition. “Horticulture New Zealand believes in celebrating excellence in our young people.”
“These four growers have already demonstrated passion, direction and the potential to become significant contributors to our industry’s future. I look forward to watching how their careers progress.”
For more information about the Young Grower of the Year competition, please visitwww.younggroweroftheyear.co.nz
Newborns to be enrolled with GPs sooner
Babies will now be enrolled with their GP soon after their birth so they receive essential healthcare such as immunisations, sooner.
Health Minister Tony Ryall announced the new enrolment policy at an immunisation providers event in Te Puke today,
"Early enrolment with a GP gives newborns the best start to life and we are making it easier for parents to enrol their baby with their family doctor.
"Currently fewer than half of newborns are enrolled with a GP at 12 weeks," said Mr Ryall.
"Under the new enrolment policy, GP practices will enter the newborn into their patient database as soon as they are nominated as the baby's GP by the parents at the birthing unit - rather than waiting to enrol them at their first doctor's appointment, as currently happens.
"One of the biggest benefits of having a newborn enrolled with a GP straight away is the practices can remind parents when their baby is due for their first immunisation at six weeks of age.
"Currently there are almost no newborns enrolled at six weeks of age which means many start their immunisations late exposing them to preventable diseases like whooping cough and polio. It can also lead to delays in receiving further immunisations - this change will help minimise this risk.
"There is widespread support across the public health service for this plan which will see more babies start their immunisation programme, on time.
"We've already achieved great success in lifting our immunisation rates. 90 per cent of Bay of Plenty children are now fully immunised by the age of two - a 25 per cent increase compared to 2009. Nationally, 92 per cent of New Zealand children are fully immunised by age two.
"The next challenge is to ensure all children are up to date with their immunisations at eight-months-old. The new preventative health target that will see 95 per cent of eight-month-olds fully immunised by December 2014 has started this month."
-Fuseworks Media
Search resumes for pig hunter
The man who lives and hunts alone, was not reported overdue, but staff at the Waipapa Dam on the Waikato River called Police on Tuesday when they noticed that his ute had been parked at the Dam since 10am Monday. They also saw an unaccompanied pig dog running around the ute on Monday afternoon.
It is known that the man is a regular hunter in the area of pine forest on the eastern side of the Waikato River. He is said to be well organised, well equipped and an experienced hunter who only normally goes on a day hunt.
Up to 45 people were involved in the search yesterday, assisted by two LandSAR Dogs, a Police Dog, the Youthtown Rescue helicopter and the Waikato River Harbourmaster. The search will continue today in a similar area as yesterday with further investigation of some clues found.
Yesterday a second dog belonging to the man was found on the western side of the Waikato River a little way upstream of the Dam. Three dogs are still unaccounted for. The two dogs that have been found were wearing tracking collars, and it is thought the others are also wearing them, but this has not helped find them.
A search base has been set up near the Waipapa Dam and the search will be managed from there again today. There is no cell phone coverage in that area.
If anybody has any information which might help this search please call the Tokoroa Police Station 07 885 0100.
7.0 earthquake felt in Bay of Plenty
GeoNet said the earthquake was centred 60 km south of Opunake at a focal depth of 230 km at 10:36pm.
"Because of the depth of the quake it was felt widespread and the likelihood of causing major damage was very unlikely" GeoNet says.
The earthquake was felt through out central New Zealand including Te Kuiti to Canterbury.
Reports from Opotiki, Whakatane, Kawerau, Rotorua, Tepuke and Tauranga.
A women in Hawera said it was one of the scariest times in her life.
"A few photos and ornaments fell off the shelf and broke but everyone is well and safe and that's the main thing"
No major damage was reporter and no tsunami warnings were issued.
Police appeal following serious assault
The Tokoroa police are seeking assistance from the public in relation to a serious assault that occurred in Tokoroa overnight.
A married couple aged in their 70s arrived home to their Weka Place address to find three men damaging a fence that separates their property from an alleyway.
The elderly man asked the group to stop and was verbally abused by them.
One then produced a full can of alcohol and threw it at the male striking him on the back of the head.
The force of the blow caused the victim to fall to the ground stunned. He managed to get to his feet again with the intention of retreating inside his address to contact the Police.
The man's wife came to his aid and as she did the same offender walked onto their property and punched the woman in the face, knocking her to the ground unconscious.
The offending group then ran up Weka Place toward Aotea Crescent.
Neighbours who heard the commotion rushed to the elderly couple's aid and ambulance staff attended and transported the couple to the Tokoroa hospital for treatment.
The Police using a dog tracked the group through several streets and alleyways but lost the trail some distance from the scene.
The offenders were described as three male Maoris, aged between 18 and 20 years, two could be described at fat while the other was skinny. All were wearing dark clothing.
Tokoroa Police Senior Sergeant Graeme Hill said: "This is a cowardly and despicable attack on two elderly people minding their own business at home. I urge anyone with any information that can assist in the apprehension of these offenders to contact us."
Anyone with information relevant to this investigation is asked to contact Tokoroa Police on 07 885 0100. Alternatively information can be provided anonymously via Crimestoppers on 0800 555111.
Chiefs welcome new company to rugby
The Chiefs exciting season has enticed a highly successful international brand to rugby for the first time.
Premium European automotive brand, Volkswagen have taken their first venture into rugby by becoming the Chiefs official preferred vehicle supplier for the next three years.
The deal in conjunction with Volkswagen New Zealand has been driven by local Chiefs fan and Ebbett Volkswagen Dealer Principal Walter van den Engel.
"With the wide range of rural, commercials and recreational vehicles that Volkswagen offers, we felt that an association with the Chiefs brand was an ideal partnership for Ebbett Volkswagen," said Walter.
"We have dealerships throughout the Chiefs region including Pukekohe, Hamilton, Tauranga and Taupo so we are able to serve the franchise area with our sales, service and parts departments."
Chiefs CEO Gary Dawson said "It is exciting for the Chiefs to attract a premier brand, which has traditionally been globally associated with soccer to our national game and I look forward to Chiefs fans supporting Ebbett Volkswagen."
To test drive one of the latest Volkswagen visit www.ebbett.co.nz
The next Chiefs home game at Waikato Stadium will be against the Crusaders on Friday 6 July at 7.35pm. Chiefs' fans know the importance of this match and have already snapped up over 11,000 tickets for the New Zealand conference clash. Fans are encouraged to purchase tickets early to avoid disappointment.
Tickets are available from www.ticketdirect.co.nz or wwww.chiefs.co.nz or from The Warehouses in the Waikato region. Tickets that are purchased before game day start at $5 plus service fee for kids and $10 plus service fee for adults. For more information visit www.chiefs.co.nz
-Fuseworksmedia
Lucky Lotto ticket sold at Te Puke New World
With the Winter Solstice and the shortest day of the year behind them this week, four Lotto players in Auckland, Thames, Te Puke and Ashburton have another reason to celebrate tonight after winning $250,000 each on Lotto First Division, says NZ Lotteries' Chief Executive Wayne Pickup.
The tickets were sold Diorella Superette in Auckland, Paper Plus Thames in Thames, Te Puke New World in Te Puke and Tinwald Superette in Ashburton.
Powerball First Division has jackpotted this week and will be worth an estimated $6 million next week.
Strike Four was not struck this week and has jackpotted to an estimated $300,000.
Meanwhile, Mary, a great-grandmother from Christchurch, spun and won $200,000 on the Winning Wheel at the live draw in Wellington tonight.
All Lotto players are automatically in the draw to win the opportunity to spin Lotto's Winning Wheel, regardless of the type of ticket they buy.
Tonight's Winning Wheel ticket was bought at Royal Oak Mall Lotto in Auckland. The winning serial number is 490-13899810-20XX.
Anyone who bought their ticket from any of the above winning stores should write their name on the back of the ticket and check it immediately at any Lotto outlet.
Te Arawa and council share vision for world class lakefront development
Rotorua District Council and Te Arawa property company Pukeroa Lakefront Holdings Ltd (PLHL) have been working closely together over recent months to develop new concepts for developing the city’s under-utilised Lakefront.
PLHL wants to develop land they own in the Lakefront area as a world class recreation, lifestyle, visitor and retail destination, with strong alignment to the Rotorua CBD revitalisation programme and integration with the city’s Lakefront Development Plan proposals.
Last week Pukeroa Lakefront Holdings and their planning consultants Retail Consulting Group Ltd (RCG) presented a series of concepts to Rotorua’s mayor and councillors as part of a process to prepare a master plan for the company’s land at the Lakefront. The land includes the site occupied by QE Hospital and other adjacent buildings and vacant space to the east of the site.
PLHL chairman Malcolm Short said that the company had commissioned RCG Ltd to undertake extensive market research and to evaluate a range of site layout options.
“The results of this work were then assessed by our board and following close consultation with council management we identified a master plan vision for developing the site which would potentially see investment in a mix of upmarket retail, dining, recreation, cultural, accommodation, and health and wellbeing facilities.”
RCG director John Long said the master plan would create an accessible, active and vibrant urban edge alongside the lakeshore for the benefit of the whole community, and would provide an important economic boost.
The board of Te Arawa Lakes Trust (TALT) have expressed their full support for the development concept. TALT chairman Dr Toby Curtis said the Trust was looking forward to working closely with Pukeroa Lakefront Holdings and Rotorua District Council on the development. He described the proposals as "very exciting" and said they had the potential to substantially improve the wellbeing of the Rotorua community and to add new vitality to the local economy.
Rotorua mayor Kevin Winters said the council shared PLHL’s vision for the lakefront as it was a perfect fit with the council’s own plans for the Lakefront public area and CBD, and the district’s new sustainable economic growth strategy.
“Pukeroa Lakefront Holding’s vision is incredibly inspiring. It’s totally complementary to our own aspirations to revitalise the CBD and to optimise the links with the Lakefront, Tutanekai Street, Government Gardens and Kuirau Park, through to Rotorua Central mall.
“The development would put in place a final piece in the CBD development jigsaw and help anchor the northern end of the CBD and connect existing city blocks to the lake.
“We anticipate that it will be of such a scale and quality that it will play a big part in Rotorua being able to recapture the status of New Zealand’s pre-eminent visitor and lifestyle destination.
“We’re particularly pleased to see another bold investment by Te Arawa in our city following their very successful development of Rotorua Central at the other end of town.”
Mr Winters said PLHL and RDC would be continuing to work together to incorporate the master plan vision into the council's current District Plan review.