Burglary at the Kaikohe Gliding Club
A Northland man has been charged in connection with more than $250,000 worth of damage to aircraft, following a burglary at the Kaikohe Gliding Club.
On 27 March, Police received a report of significant damage and theft at the Kaikohe Aerodrome.
Mid Far North Area Prevention Manager, Senior Sergeant Clem Armstrong, says the club’s gliders were damaged in the targeted burglary, with costs totalling $60,000 per glider.
“Two vehicles were also taken and an $80,000 tractor mower. This equipment is essential to keeping the gliding club operational.
“Adding further insult, approximately 100 litres of diesel and petrol were stolen, along with batteries from the club’s solar power system,” he says.
The Kaikohe Aerodrome, built in 1942 as a United States Marine Corps bomber base, has the largest grass airstrip in the Southern Hemisphere, with the gliding club responsible for mowing and maintaining it.
“This is a volunteer group who rely entirely on goodwill,
“This has been a massive blow and has really hurt them,” says Senior Sergeant Armstrong.
Following an investigation, a 28-year-old man has been charged in connection to the burglary and is due to appear in the Kaikohe District Court on 21 April.
The local man faces 21 charges relating to a series of rural thefts in the Mangakahia and Awarua areas. These include twelve charges of burglary, two of theft of a motor vehicle, intentional damage, unlawfully taking a motor vehicle, receiving, and theft.
“The club was over the moon to hear we had arrested someone,” Senior Sergeant Armstrong says.
During the investigation, Police also located stolen industrial drill parts valued at $40,000. The equipment, which had been imported from the United States by a local earth mining company, was returned last week.
“It’s great to be able to recover these expensive and crucial pieces of equipment and return them to their rightful owners.
“Our investigation remains ongoing. We are still looking at who else may be involved,” he says.
Senior Sergeant Armstrong urges people to report thefts in rural areas, no matter how minor they might seem.
“Reporting incidents helps us build a picture of what’s happening in an area. Please report suspicious behaviour and any vehicles of concern, including number plates,” he says.
Poll: Is it okay to grocery shop in your PJs?
I'm sure you've seen it while doing your weekly shop... In fact, it may have even been you.
What do you think about people heading to the supermarket in their pyjamas?
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15.1% It's fine!
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79.7% It's questionable
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5.2% Other - I'll share below
Product recalls across NZ
Quite a few products have been recalled recently and we want to make sure everything in your home is safe.
Check out the list below clicking on the blue text to learn more about why it was recalled.
Food Recalls:
⚠️Southern Sprouts Alfafa and Onion Sprouts (Possible risk of listeria)
⚠️Pams Onion Sprouts (Possible risk of listeria)
⚠️Raw C Coconut Water
⚠️Loco Love Chewy Caramel
⚠️Sun'Days Dubai Style Chocolate Mousse
⚠️Gilmours Original Corn Chips
⚠️Pak n Save Moorhouse in-store bread
⚠️Emborg Emmentaler Cheese (Possible risk of listeria)
⚠️Ghiotti Chorizo
⚠️Steinlager Ulta-Low Carb beer
Household item recalls:
⚠️Stainless Steel Drink Bottle - sold at Kmart
⚠️Captive Bolt Activators
⚠️Cloud Nine Hair Dryer
⚠️Toyworld Animal Bath Toys
⚠️Topdon Smart Programmable Battery Charger
⚠️Bicycles - Specialised Turbo Como SL
Check the New Zealand Transport Agency's handy vehicle recall list here.
I hope you weren't affected by these products. Stay safe, neighbours!
What's your best cost-saving tip?
Just when we thought the cost of living couldn't climb any higher...it does. While things like fuel prices are out of our control, many of us are looking for small, practical ways to stretch our dollars a bit further. So let’s put our heads together!
Over the next little while, we’ll be sharing tips to help you save money — and we’d love to hear yours too. What’s working for you right now?
Here are a few ideas to get started:
🎉 Plan ahead for the year (birthdays, events, travel) to avoid surprise costs
🪙 Check out $2 shops for everyday items like stationery, baking paper, foil, and cling wrap - often much cheaper than the supermarket
🐖 Bring back the piggy bank and save your loose change
🔨 DIY where you can - like mowing the lawn instead of paying someone
💵 Set a daily budget before heading out and stick to it (cash can help!)
🧴 Stretch household products by diluting things like shampoo or dishwashing liquid
Got a tip that’s helping you save? Share it below, the tip might make a huge difference to someone else.
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