Boutique hotel plans
A proposal to build a boutique hotel with up to 140 beds on land owned by the Kerikeri RSA, as revealed in the Advocate last week, is expected to spark vigorous debate when the RSA's incorporated society holds its AGM from 4.30pm this Sunday. The future of the property, at 37 Cobham Rd, is one of the subjects up for discussion during general business. The proposal, from the neighbouring Turner Centre, would see the RSA buildings replaced by a four or five-storey hotel, which would allow the centre to host conferences for up to 300 people. The RSA could get a floor in the new building.
Driver chokes on burger
A single-vehicle crash on Kerikeri's Wiroa Rd on Tuesday night has been put down to the 22-year-old driver choking on the burger he was eating. He had felt his chest tighten then blacked out, a police spokesman said, the car crossing the road and crashing through a fence into the Bay of Islands Airport grounds. He was not hurt.
Bonfire culprits
Three girls aged 15, 16 and 17 have admitted lighting a fire on Kerikeri Domain early on Saturday morning. The Kerikeri Fire Brigade was called out at 5.30am, finding a bonfire consuming a large pile of real estate magazines. Police, who found the girls nearby, have yet to decide whether they will be prosecuted.