Cyclone Lusi continues to slide south towards New Zealand bringing severe gales and heavy rain. The low will track down the western side of NZ then cross over the South Island on Sunday night – before leaving the nation on Monday morning. Severe weather may affect a number of regions, so please check with MetService for the latest warnings & watches – and WeatherWatch.co.nz for special weather news updates across the weekend. For farmers wanting rain Lusi should deliver a soaking to a number of regions – but some may miss out due to the changing wind flow.
Latest Video
Guard of honour for Police officer Gail Shepherd
Guard of honour for Northland police officer Gail Shepherd killed while out walking her dogs in Helena Bay. Video / The Northern Advocate
The message rough sleeper Jason Poutai wants Whangārei District Council to hear
Rough sleeper Jason Poutai has a message he wants Whangārei District Council to hear. Video / Michael Cunningham
Funding woes at Hundertwasser Art Centre
The Hundertwasser Art Centre in Whangārei made a six-month loss last year of $765,000. Video / Denise Piper and Sarah Curtis
Brynderwyns timelapse
Timelapse shows roading work done on the Brynderwyns. Video / NZ Transport Agency Waka Kotahi
Truck nearly collides head-on with Northland couple on one-lane bridge
An elderly Northland couple are grateful to be alive after a near head-on collision with truck. Video / Danielle Adams
From benefit to self-employment
Inspiring Northlanders reveal how they got off the benefit and into self-employment. Video / Michael Cunningham
Northland surfer to represent New Zealand
Northern Advocate reporter Denise Piper interviews Indi-Lee Ruddell, 14, who is representing New Zealand at the World Junior Surf Championships in El Salvador in May. Video / Denise Piper, photos / PhotoCPL
A new industry for Northland?
Behind the scenes at the Northland peanut trials. Video / Michael Cunningham
Mangawhai Heads rescue successful
The rescue of surfer Matthew Scott by Mangawhai Heads Volunteer Lifeguard Service was fortunate to not be hindered by locked gates and containers. Video / Givealittle, Michael Cunningham, Elevated Media, Mangawhai Heads Volunteer Lifeguard Service
Toitū te Tiriti hīkoi is welcomed on to Te Tii Marae
A hīkoi with an estimated 600 people marched from Paihia to Waitangi, and they were welcomed on to Te Tii Marae this morning. Video / Denise Piper / Merewai Durutalo / Michael Cunningham / Lois Turei
Cruise ship Regatta docks at North Port, Marsden Point Whangarei
Cruise ship Regatta docks at North Port, Marsden Point Whangarei. Video / The Northern Advocate
National and Act MPs speak to the media
PM Christopher Luxon, National MP Tama Potaka, and Act leader David Seymour spoke to the media after arriving in Northland for the Iwi Chairs Forum. Video / David Fisher
Stranded pilot whale on Baylys Beach in Northland
On Monday Locals attempted to save a stranded pilot whale on Baylys Beach in Northland. The whale did not survive. Video / Robyn Preston
Travel trouble in Northland
Air New Zealand cancels about 6.5% of its flights between Auckland and Northland airports in Whangārei and the Bay of Islands. Video / 123rf / Air NZ / Tania Whyte / Tania Whyte / Alex Cairns
Seagliders take flight
The seagliders are being developed by US company Regent and brought to New Zealand by Ocean Flyer. Regent has successfully tested a quarter-scale prototype and launched a full-size prototype. Video / Supplied
Operation Flotation
Northlander Pat Millar took it upon herself to put flotation devices at beaches nationwide after Wairongoa ‘Magoo’ Renata drowned at a Far North beach Video / Michael Cunningham
Mr T's new mobility scooter
After recovering from his injuries in a hit-and-run in October, Mr T is finally back busking on the streets on his new mobility scooter. Video / Michael Cunningham
What are the best beaches in Northland?
Locals say why they think Ruakākā Beach is one of the best beaches in Northland. Video / Northern Advocate
Hikoi mo Te Tiriti O Waitangi, Whangarei
Protesters join the hikoi in Whangārei. Video / Northern Advocate
Friday’s weigh in for Wahine Toa II
The double female world boxing bout event being held in Whangārei on Saturday night, December 2. Video / Northern Advocate
Countdown to fight night
Mea Motu, Lani Daniels and Wahine Toa II fight night opponents welcomed. Video / Michael Cunningham
Scott Perry rebuilds WWII wooden patrol craft
Scott Perry needed a project to help rebuild himself and Kuparu - a 72-foot WWII wooden patrol craft - was it. Video / The Northern Advocate
Northland's only finalist for New Zealand Television Awards
Northland larger-than-life celebrity Luke Bird considers himself to be a strong contender to win this year's best television personality honour at the New Zealand Television Awards this year. Video / The Northern Advocate
Ex-cyclone Lola lashes New Zealand
Thousands of people are without power as ex-cyclone Lola lashes the country. Video / Supplied / NZ Herald / Greg Reed
Watch: Doctors strike at Whangārei Hospital
Whangārei Hospital doctors are fed up with not being heard and have gone on strike. Video / Northern Advocate
Whales put on a show for delighted Northlanders
The whales put on an incredible performance for those watching with their jumps out of the water. Video / Supplied
Watch: Football star Hannah Wilkinson paints a public mural celebrating New Zealand’s victory over Norway
Football star Hannah Wilkinson paints a public mural celebrating New Zealand’s victory over Norway. Video / Supplied
Watch: Dog trapped by waves at Langs Beach safely rescued
Raro the dog needed rescuing after falling off a cliff near Langs Beach. Video / Liz Mackie
Miniature horse 'Story' brings joy on the Whangārei loop
14 year old Kate Hunter takes her miniature pony "Story" for a walk around the Whangarei loop. It just makes people happy. Video / Tania Whyte
National leader Christopher Luxon visits Kerikeri
National leader Christopher Luxon visits Kerikeri. Video / Northern Advocate
Watch: Fireball spotted in skies over North island
A fireball was seen travelling across skies in the top of the North Island on Saturday night. Video / Vincent / global meteor network
Watch: Northland helicopter drops paramedic onto ship in rough seas
The Northland Rescue Helicopter drops a paramedic onto PatriotX in rough seas 240km off the Bay of Islands. Video / NEST
Huhana Lyndon talks about the Abbey Caves disaster
Huhana Lyndon sums up the events surrounding the tragic Abbey Caves disaster. Video / Northern Advocate
Focus: Mangatepopo tragedy principal reaches out to Whangārei High School after caving death
Elim principal Murray Burton has endured tragedy before when he lost six of his own students and a teacher in the Mangatepopo river, now he has reached out to Whangārei High School following Tuesday's disaster. Video / NZ Herald
Landslip blocks Oruru Rd in Taipa
Landslip blocks Oruru Rd in Taipa. Video / Kylie Simeon
Watch: Stand Up March
A peaceful protest against crime in Whangārei. Video / Michael Cunningham
Watch: Councillor Jayne Golightly's appology for conduct breach
Whangārei District councillor Jayne Golightly publicly apologises for conduct breach. Video / Tania Whyte
Watch: Anzac parade and dawn ceremony, Whangārei
There was a big turnout to the Anzac parade and dawn ceremony in Whangārei. Video / Michael Cunningham
Tangi for homicide victim Shayden Perkinson
Tangi for homicide victim Shayden Perkinson at Maunu Cemetery, Whangarei. Video / Supplied