SOFTBALL NATIONALS

The Western Magpies will be looking to defend their 2016 national title this week at the Softball New Zealand national women’s club championships. The tournament will take place at Meadowland Reserve, Howick, from March 16-19. Games start daily from 9am.

KEY CONFIRMS DATE

Former prime minister John Key has announced he will officially leave Parliament on April 14. The timing will allow Parliament to avoid a by-election in his Helensville seat, which can be left vacant if he leaves within six months of the September 23 general election. In a statement released on March 15, Key said it had been an ‘‘absolute honour’’ to serve New Zealand.

LIFESAVERS HEAD SOUTH

The west is sending 70 surf lifesavers from Piha Surf Lifesaving Club to Christchurch on March 16 for four days of action in the New Zealand Surf Lifesaving Championships at New Brighton.

METH SEIZURE

A joint police and customs sting caught 160 litres of a type of methamphetamine as it entered New Zealand, labelled as dishwashing liquid. Four men, aged 38, 47, 54 and 59, were to appear in the Auckland District Court on March 15 charged with a range of offences related to the supply of methamphetamine and the possession of equipment with intent to manufacture a controlled drug. As part of the operation, residential and commercial addresses in Lynfield, Waitakere, Newmarket, Epsom, Avondale and New Lynn were searched on March 14. It is alleged that a cargo consignment, containing an estimated 160 litres of t-boc methamphetamine, was imported from Hong Kong on January 28. T-boc methamphetamine is chemically masked to prevent it being detected, but can be converted back for supply purposes. It is believed to be the first time that this form of methamphetamine has been found in New Zealand. Police said the liquid and equipment seized could have made about 120kg of methamphetamine.