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Zelka Grammer says the deletion of just one word means Northland's GE ban can now be activated. Photo/File

THE COUNTRY

The word is out - and Northland GMO ban is in

18 Apr, 2018 1:00pm
2 minutes to read

Animals are now included in the Northland policy banning genetically modified organisms

Farmers Neville and Linda Lewis by the Utakura River, which turned green after a potentially toxic algal bloom upstream in Lake Omapere. Photo / Peter de Graaf

THE COUNTRY

'No swimming' signs to go up as eels die in algal bloom

23 Feb, 2018 8:00am
4 minutes to read

Crossover of council and health board roles may have delayed warning given to water users.

Thomas Brugman's friends may now have the chance to farewell him.

NEW ZEALAND

End in sight for unclaimed Dargaville body

23 Feb, 2018 7:00am
3 minutes to read

'Lonely' Northland man who died in legal limbo had people who cared for him, friends say.

Resource consent applications have been lodged for a new marina in Whangarei Harbour.

New marina to boost berths by 40 per cent

23 Feb, 2018 5:00am
4 minutes to read

$11m marina with 115 berths is planned near Whangarei's Te Matau a Pohe bridge.

David Wilson, chief executive of Northland Inc.

NORTHERN ADVOCATE | Business

Increased opportunity to scope projects

22 Feb, 2018 9:00am
3 minutes to read

Northland Inc can access $300,000 of NRC funds each year to scope development projects.

Police are appealing for information about missing man Joe Lloyd-Jones. Photo / Supplied

NEW ZEALAND

Please help find Joe, family pleads

22 Feb, 2018 5:30am
3 minutes to read

Joe Lloyd-Jones disappeared three weeks ago - his family make a plea for information.

NORTHERN ADVOCATE

Port Nikau fully immerses in Seaweek fun

20 Feb, 2018 10:00am
3 minutes to read

A walk through a kelp tunnel will take children into the heart of Seaweek at Port Nikau

Dargaville, Northern Wairoa River and Ruawai feature large in the new coastal hazard maps. Photo / File

NEW ZEALAND

Maps show coastal homes under threat

19 Feb, 2018 7:00am
3 minutes to read

New charts mark where 13,500 properties are in the way of tide and time.

The logs, chains and anchors being removed before they became a public safety issue. Photo / John Stone

THE COUNTRY

Sandy Bay logs to be cleared before storm

15 Feb, 2018 10:00am
2 minutes to read

Exposed logs and chains being removed from Sandy Bay ahead of more bad weather.

The proposed Hundertwasser Arts Centre, which will incorporate the Wairau Maori Art Gallery.

NORTHERN ADVOCATE

Team considering arts centre tenders

15 Feb, 2018 8:00am
2 minutes to read

Tenders close and evaluation team set up to decide who builds Hundertwasser Art Centre

Landing on the coast between Waipu and Mangawhai during the laying of the 15,000 km Hawaiki cable across the Pacific Ocean. Photo/Northland Inc

BUSINESS

Super-fibre Hawaiki cable makes landfall

14 Feb, 2018 6:00pm
3 minutes to read

The 15,000km super-fibre Hawaiki Transpacific Cable has landed near Mangawhai Heads.

Anti - fluoride campaigner and medical expert from USA, Dr Paul Connett.

NORTHERN ADVOCATE

Meeting gets its teeth into fluoride debate

14 Feb, 2018 3:00pm
3 minutes to read

A Whangarei dentist says fluoride does not help teeth but can reduce children's IQ.

Logs and chains have come adrift from the banks they were intended to help build up at Sandy Bay. Photo / John Stone

NEW ZEALAND

Storms wash away $70k sand dune repairs

13 Feb, 2018 11:00am
2 minutes to read

Dune and stream remedial work at Sandy Bay has been ripped apart twice this summer.

He Puna Marama Charitable Trust chief executive Raewyn Tipene says Whangarei's charter school is positive about its future. Photo / File

NEW ZEALAND

Whangarei charter school hopeful for future

10 Feb, 2018 12:00pm
3 minutes to read

Whangarei's Te Kapehu Whetu school is not fazed by Govt intention to end charter schools.

Jackie Gardner has survived her cancer but had a life-choice directive in place stipulating no ''heroic intervention'' by medics. Photo / John Stone

NORTHERN ADVOCATE

Advance directives wanted in bill

10 Feb, 2018 11:00am
3 minutes to read

Former Whangarei woman Jackie Gardner wants advanced directives to be mandatory.

The cast is, back row from left, Jane Cunningham, Jane Scripps, Becky Aud-Jennison; front, Jessica White, Merlia de Ridder, Melanie Thomas.

NORTHERN ADVOCATE

Whangarei play addresses the vagina agenda

10 Feb, 2018 10:00am
3 minutes to read

People still find some names of body parts offensive, says The Vagina Monologues producer

The Government has gone cold on four laning State HIghway 1 south of Whangarei, above, but Northland leaders want it done. Photo / File

NEW ZEALAND

SH1 widening essential - Northland mayors

2 Feb, 2018 11:00am
3 minutes to read

Northland leaders want SH1 widened as a priority.

Trust chairman Max Hutchings, left, and fulltime ranger Bevan Cramp on the Maunu flank of the Pukenui Western Hills Forest.

THE COUNTRY

Kiwi release planned on Whangarei's urban fringe

29 Jan, 2018 7:00am
4 minutes to read

People in the heart of Whangarei could soon hear the call of kiwi from just up the road

Hannah White and friends before last November's inaugural Take the Plunge Town Basin swim. Photo / John Stone

THE COUNTRY

Dirty water thwarts river protest plunge

20 Jan, 2018 7:00am
3 minutes to read

Run-off from rain could dampen a mass plunge to highlight Hatea River's pollution

The women plan to grow cannabis for medical research. Photo/Supplied

NEW ZEALAND

Women cultivate medical cannabis plan

20 Jan, 2018 6:00am
4 minutes to read

Two Whangarei women are applying for a licence to grow medicinal cannabis near the city.

The northern end of Ruakaka Beach near Marsden Point makes for a great landing strip. Photo/Kristin Edge

NEW ZEALAND

'Plane crash' a beach landing lesson - instructor

12 Jan, 2018 6:00am
3 minutes to read

A search was raised after reports of a light aircraft crash landing near Ruakaka Beach.

TRAVEL SICKNESS: Trevor and Carina Sykes. He has almost recovered from the rare, flesh-eating disease that nearly took his life.

NEW ZEALAND

Mangawhai man survives flesh-eating disease

5 Jan, 2018 5:00am
4 minutes to read

A Mangawhai man is celebrating the New Year with a swim after a long battle with illness.

Hapu spokesman Milan Ruka at Poroti Springs.

NORTHERN ADVOCATE

Water plant controversy springs back up

1 Jan, 2018 10:00am
2 minutes to read

Auckland firm Zodiac has lodged another consent request for Poroti Springs.

SHIPWRECK HUNTERS: Noel Hilliam surveys the stern of the Selcombe Castle near Aranga Beach on Northland's Ripiro coast, in 2009.

NORTHERN ADVOCATE

Trophy awarded to late underwater pioneer

27 Dec, 2017 3:00pm
2 minutes to read

Inaugural Kelly Tarlton trophy for services to underwater heritage goes to Noel Hilliam.

NORTHERN ADVOCATE

Mumps outbreak fears ease in North

23 Dec, 2017 5:00pm
2 minutes to read

Doctors and health officials urge more high-profile immunisation programme.

METICULOUS: Archaeologists and helpers work at the British soldiers' burial plot on the flank of Ruapekapeka Pa.

NORTHLAND AGE

Ruapekapeka battlefield archaeology dig reveals British grave

16 Dec, 2017 6:00am
3 minutes to read

Archaeological dig finds remains of 12 young British soldiers and sailors at Ruapekapeka

For 171 years the remains of twelve young British soldiers and sailors lay in a forgotten grave in Northland.

NEW ZEALAND

British graves found at historic Northland battle site

15 Dec, 2017 2:43pm
3 minutes to read

The remains of 12 British soldiers found in Northland burial plot after 171 years.

Whangarei Hospital's blood bank and related services continue to flow despite the suspension of a Blood Service accreditation

NORTHERN ADVOCATE

Blood bank copes with staffing glitch

14 Dec, 2017 6:00am
2 minutes to read

No risk to patients despite Whangarei Hospital's blood bank accreditation going on hold

Jared Plows and Kayla Raines at the start of the track to Whale Bay and Otito Point. He is holding the necklace of kiwi bands. Photos/Michael Cunningham

NORTHERN ADVOCATE

Killer canines

11 Dec, 2017 5:36pm
7 minutes to read

Amazingly, people walk right past the sign with their dogs in tow.

Two-month old Kahlani Puhi Laurel Gotz lies safely on her back in a wahakura (flax bassinet).

NORTHERN ADVOCATE

Kids to get their own beds for Christmas

7 Dec, 2017 8:00am
2 minutes to read

Strong response to campaign to give beds to kids who sleep on the floor or share a bed

Health officials say immunisation is the most effective way to actively protect children from preventable, highly contagious diseases like whooping cough.

NORTHERN ADVOCATE

NZ-wide whooping cough outbreak

2 Dec, 2017 9:00am
2 minutes to read

No new cases of whooping cough in Northland but ministry declares a national outbreak.

Expect some rain, wind and high temperatures this summer.

THE COUNTRY

Windy, hot, wet summer for Northland

1 Dec, 2017 8:00am
3 minutes to read

A heads-up about Northland's summer: wet, windy and wickedly hot.

The vet sutures the injured kiwi's wounds.

NEW ZEALAND

Kiwi survives scrubcutter encounter

1 Dec, 2017 7:00am
3 minutes to read

Kiwi needed 30 stitches after scrubcutter accident.

Little Giants: Volunteers also work in the trust's kauri nursery.

THE COUNTRY

Grant helps Waipoua Trust meet giant ambitions

30 Nov, 2017 3:55pm
3 minutes to read

The Waipoua Forest Trust steps-up the assault on pests through a $6212 QE II Trust grant

Jack Goodhue is back on his feet but three other All Blacks teammates have since come down with mumps.

NORTHERN ADVOCATE

Mumps and whooping cough on the rise

29 Nov, 2017 7:00am
3 minutes to read

Spikes in mumps and whooping cough have Northland health officials appealing to parents

The Civil Defence alert sent to about two million mobile phones on Sunday.

NORTHERN ADVOCATE

Phone alarm loud but not clear for some

28 Nov, 2017 6:00am
2 minutes to read

Emergency alert test via mobile phones deemed a success but pick-up patchy in Northland.

NORTHERN ADVOCATE | Business

Port seeks community's permission to grow

25 Nov, 2017 9:00am
3 minutes to read

Northport releases ''a conversation starter'' about doubling the size of the port

Cherie Bateman, front, with Blaize, and her riding group will join the Ride for Road Safety trek in suburban Whangarei.

THE COUNTRY

Horse cavalcade to promote safety on roads

16 Nov, 2017 6:02am
3 minutes to read

A cavalcade of horses and riders will trek the streets of suburban Whangarei on Sunday.

NEW ZEALAND

Whangarei mayor's plea to youth, no more suicides

14 Nov, 2017 6:00pm
4 minutes to read

Teenager's death spurs Whangarei mayor Sheryl Mai to make a public plea about suicide

SUPPORT CREW: Candidate Robert Diamond and his wife Tatyana (far right), with supporters Rhiannon Reti (left), and Charlee Taua. Photo/Tania Whyte

NORTHERN ADVOCATE

Low turnout at Denby candidates meeting

13 Nov, 2017 10:00am
3 minutes to read

12 of the 13 Denby byelection candidates turn up but only 20 members of public.

Kelvin Davis; from opposition bench MP, to multi-portfolio Cabinet Minister, to acting Prime Minister in a matter of weeks.

NEW ZEALAND

Acting PM expects a bit of stick

10 Nov, 2017 6:30am
2 minutes to read

The Acting Prime Minister reckons he'll get stick from his cousins in Tai Tokerau

Forest and Bird says drone footage shows the Russell forest is in a state of collapse.

NEW ZEALAND

Dying native forest needs kiss of life

8 Nov, 2017 10:00am
2 minutes to read

Forest & Bird to talk in Whangarei about Russell State Forest on the brink of collapse

Craig Chapman is angry his boat moored at Parua Bay has been reinfected with fanworm 10 months after he had it cleaned. Photo / John Stone

NEW ZEALAND

Boatie upset about fanworm costs

8 Nov, 2017 7:00am
3 minutes to read

A Whangarei man says NRC rules aimed at preventing spread of marine pests are punitive.

A celebration in 2011 after Whangarei District Council adopted its policy opposing the outdoor use of genetically-engineered crops and animals.

NORTHERN ADVOCATE

Fed Farmers ditch appeal against Northland's GE policy

6 Nov, 2017 9:00am
2 minutes to read

Fed Farmers ditch Appeal Court hearing against Northland's GE-free policy at 11th hour.

Regional Commissioner Northern Corrections Service, Jeanette Burns and Corrections Minister Kelvin Davis.

NORTHERN ADVOCATE

New Corrections Minister honours staff

6 Nov, 2017 8:00am
2 minutes to read

In his Corrections debut Kelvin Davis acknowledged long serving Northland prison staff.

NATURAL WONDERS: Exploring the play area depicting the coast are, Eruini Mita-Wata, left, Deano Hing and kaiako (teacher) Andrew Barber. Photo/John Stone

NORTHERN ADVOCATE

New playground makes footprint at kohanga

4 Nov, 2017 9:00am
3 minutes to read

Mokau Kohanga Reo's innovative new playground is blessed and officially opened.

Dorothy McHattie with the macrocarpa dragon made by Aaron Ellis-Smith.

NORTHERN ADVOCATE | Lifestyle

Sculpture and garden exhibit in Whangarei

2 Nov, 2017 11:00am
3 minutes to read

A masterpiece of sculpture and gardens comes together at Whangarei Quarry Gardens

CULTURE BOOST: Celebrating a funding boost, Hihiaua Cultural Centre team, from left, Te Warihi and Janet Hetaraka and Te Kauri Parata

NORTHERN ADVOCATE

Funding boost for Hihiaua Cultural Centre

28 Oct, 2017 7:00am
3 minutes to read

Hihiaua Centre to showcase excellence in Maori culture and art gets $750,000 grant

PLUGGING POROTI: A protest in Whangarei in September against the commercial extraction of water from Poroti Springs.

BUSINESS

Zodiac drops Poroti plant plan

26 Oct, 2017 7:01am
2 minutes to read

Govt announces water export royalty and Zodiac pulls plug on Poroti bottling plant plan.

The message was about respecting other people and the place.

NORTHERN ADVOCATE

Cops drive respect message at Ninety Mile

25 Oct, 2017 11:00am
2 minutes to read

Cultural and community messages proved just the ticket at Ahipara over Labour Weekend.

The ruptured oil pipeline may have been caused by a space storm, according to physicists studying geomagnetic activity.

NORTHERN ADVOCATE

Ruakaka pipeline broken by sun spot?

25 Oct, 2017 5:00am
3 minutes to read

Solar storms and geomagnetic shockwaves could have been the last straw for oil pipeline.

GOT THE PICTURE: Whangarei Bowls members with the club's new mural, from left, Wally Yovich, president Laurel Jones and project manager Barrie Jones. Photo/John Stone

NORTHERN ADVOCATE

Whangarei Bowls puts writing on the wall

21 Oct, 2017 1:00pm
Quick Read

Bowls Whangarei mural puts a bold new face on falling membership and graffiti.

DOGGONE IT: If adult birds were frightened away or eggs broken, this dog's romp at the Waipu spit wildlife refuge could see fairy tern numbers plummet again. (Photo/DoC)

NORTHERN ADVOCATE

Owners fined for pup's play in tern refuge

21 Oct, 2017 7:00am
3 minutes to read

A collarless, non-microchipped dog was caught raising havoc in rare seabird's habitat

Labour Party leader Jacinda Ardern in Kaitaia with Kelvin Davis and Willow-Jean Prime

NORTHERN ADVOCATE

Northland waits to see what coalition brings

21 Oct, 2017 6:00am
3 minutes to read

Northland politicians who didn't make it into the house comment on the coalition

DIGGER DAMAGE: The broken piece of pipe, showing marks thought to be made by a digger.

NORTHERN ADVOCATE

Satellite search in Ruakaka pipeline inquiry

20 Oct, 2017 6:00am
3 minutes to read

Satellite imagery fails to show a digger at work, a possible cause of the pipeline break.

DOC Ranger Laurence Sullivan leads a group of children on the first Toyota Kiwi Guardians adventure site in Northland, at Smugglers Bay on the weekend.

THE COUNTRY

Kiwi kids and weta productions in backyard

19 Oct, 2017 11:00am
2 minutes to read

Kiwi and 'smugglers' met with good intentions on Saturday as a kids conservation activity.

A retired couple who live at Mata are upset their large organic garden has been hit by drift from a nearby aerial spray of herbicide.

NEW ZEALAND

Whangarei organic gardeners cop spray drift

19 Oct, 2017 6:00am
3 minutes to read

Retired couple upset their large, rural organic garden has been poisoned.

Taitokerau Forest's management/mentoring for Maori-owned land proved a good economic and resource development model.

BUSINESS

Maori forestry success will endure

16 Oct, 2017 7:00am
3 minutes to read

A Maori company with a 30-year forest rotation under its belt has accomplished its mission

MAYOR RESIGNED: Personal reasons see Greg Gent resign after a year as Kaipara mayor. Photo/Michael Cunningham

NORTHERN ADVOCATE

Kaipara council, here we go again

12 Oct, 2017 9:00am
3 minutes to read

Kaipara losing mayor after only a year in office - byelection in February.

Kaipara Mayor Greg Gent (second from left) during the Kaipara District Council swearing-in ceremony on October 25, 2016. Photo/Michael Cunningham

NORTHERN ADVOCATE

Kaipara mayor's surprise resignation

9 Oct, 2017 6:27pm
3 minutes to read

Struggling Kaipara district dealt a blow with the sudden resignation of mayor.

The fanworm-infested hull that has alarm bells ringing at the regional council. Photo / NRC

NORTHERN ADVOCATE

Heavy fanworm infestation in Bay of Islands

9 Oct, 2017 1:00pm
3 minutes to read

Heavy infestation of Mediterranean fanworm on Bay of Islands boat causes alarm

Shane Horan says Northland needs support for its wood processing and manufacturing industry. Photo/ File

THE COUNTRY

North's wall of wood disappearing

9 Oct, 2017 8:06am
3 minutes to read

Industry says a major money earner for region is under threat.