NEWS IN BRIEF
Tree planting
About 300 Aucklanders yesterday witnessed the historic replanting of trees on One Tree Hill at a dawn ceremony. Six pohutukawa and three totara were planted on the summit. A single tree will stand on its own at the Auckland landmark by 2026. The last tree — a 125-yearold pine — was removed in 2000 after being damaged in chainsaw attacks.
Girl injured
Napier police are calling for witnesses after a 10-year-old girl was seriously injured after being hit by a car on Friday night. Police have spoken to the driver of the car and want anyone who saw the accident to come forward.
Crash investigation
Alcohol, speed and an overloaded vehicle contributed to the Northland crash that killed three members of the Brethren church, police believe. Susie Stewart, 48, her 16-year-old daughter Sadie, and friend Jamie Wearmouth, 18, died in the crash on Monday night.
Hamilton shooting
A man suffered a gunshot wound to his thigh in Hamilton early yesterday morning.
Two treated after fire
Two people were treated for smoke inhalation and 12 people have to find alternative accommodation after a fire in a Housing New Zealand apartment block in South Auckland last night. Fire Service Assistant Area Commander Graeme Quensell said the entire fourth floor of the Princes St apartments was smoke-logged after a cooking fire at about 7.45pm. All 48 apartments had to be evacuated. “We’ve got 12 occupants that are unable to return to their units due to the damage and social welfare will be looking after them.”
Harbour boat rescue
Two people who weren’t wearing life jackets had to be rescued from Wellington Harbour yesterday afternoon after the boat they were in started to sink. St John staff treated them for exposure.
Tourist van burgled
Three tourists from Germany, France and Italy have been robbed of $5000 worth of property in Christchurch. The group parked their rental van on Byron St in Sydenham returned 11⁄ hours later to find a window smashed and backpacks, hard drives and cameras stolen. All three had their passports, credit cards and purses with them. Anyone with information can contact Christchurch Police on 03 3637400 or Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.
Driver trapped on off-ramp
A 50-year-old woman was cut from her car yesterday after a crash at Te Atatu Rd off-ramp in West Auckland. The woman was seriously injured but in a stable condition last night. Another person received minor injuries.
Six injured in crash
Six people were injured, one critically, in a crash near Whangarei last night, near the intersection of Loop Rd and State Highway 1 at Otaika about 7.15pm, a Fire Service spokeswoman said.