New Zealand's Latest Breaking News, Business, Sport, Weather, Entertainment, Politics

Latest FromImran Ali

Whangārei Airport manager Mike Chubb hopes the car park generates enough money to pay for its upkeep. Photo/Tania Whyte

NORTHERN ADVOCATE | Business

Modest fee to park at Whangārei Airport

17 Jan, 2019 7:00am
3 minutes to read

Free parking to soon end at Whangārei Airport.

Owner of Whangārei Menswear and Sui Hire, Tim Green, and staff member Jacquie Henderson have heard loud bangs over the years from trucks crashing into the overbridge. Photo/Tania Whyte

THE COUNTRY

Retailers call for better protection from crashes involving overbridge

17 Jan, 2019 6:00am
4 minutes to read

Fixing a controversial overbridge in Whangārei to cost $20m.

NorthTec's Whangarei campus is an option for Taratahi students to continue their studies. Photo/Michael Cunningham

NORTHERN ADVOCATE

Northland polytech offers helping hand

15 Jan, 2019 7:00am
2 minutes to read

NorthTec eager to help Taratahi students facing bleak future

Colleen Donker was nearly crushed by the falling hoist of a rubbish truck that hit an overhead rail bridge in central Whangārei. Photo / Tania Whyte

NORTHERN ADVOCATE

Waste truck tips as hoist clips bridge, hits car

15 Jan, 2019 6:00am
4 minutes to read

Out-of-town driver hits overbridge and tips waste truck on its side in central Whangārei.

Frederick Megchelse has admitted to driving under the influence of alcohol that caused the death of his partner. Photo / Tania Whyte

NORTHERN ADVOCATE

Man admits drink-driving after partner's fatal fall off ute

15 Jan, 2019 5:00am
3 minutes to read

Man pleads guilty to causing partner's death.

No one in Northland has been prosecuted for lighting open fires without a permit during a restricted fire season. Photo/Debbie Beadle

NORTHERN ADVOCATE

No one prosecuted for a spate of rubbish and scrub fires

12 Jan, 2019 8:00am
2 minutes to read

No prosecution for those who lit fires outdoor without a permit in Northland.

Business has picked up for Fly My Sky since the airline introduced flights to and from Whangārei. Photo/John Stone

NORTHERN ADVOCATE

Near-full flights delight airline boss

12 Jan, 2019 7:30am
2 minutes to read

New airline into Whangārei running at near full capacity.

Patients should come to their appointments at public hospitals in Northland during the doctors strike unless advised otherwise. Photo / NZME

NORTHERN ADVOCATE

Doctors' strike reschedules appointments

12 Jan, 2019 5:00am
3 minutes to read

Resident doctors to strike in Northland's public hospitals over four days.

Swimmers and surfers back on the beach watching a bronze whaler feed on fish at Waipū Cove. Photo / Michael Cunningham

NEW ZEALAND

Swimmers and surfers watch shark feeding

11 Jan, 2019 10:00am
3 minutes to read

Beachgoers at Waipū Cove scared by a bronze whaler.

The Northland DHB will establish more community clinics for stage two of the meningococcal vaccinations. Photo/John Stone

NORTHERN ADVOCATE

Stage two of meningococcal vaccinations under way

10 Jan, 2019 9:00am
2 minutes to read

Northland DHB to open more community clinics for meningococcal vaccination.

Smoke billowing from a large scrub fire in Taipa that took just over four hours to put out at a cost of about $20,000. Photo/Supplied

NORTHERN ADVOCATE

Firefighters relieved after a drop in rubbish fire callouts

10 Jan, 2019 9:00am
3 minutes to read

Total fire ban in Northland may not be necessary.

Lorna May Keen, right, with mum Hannah showing the drawing she made of the erratic driver and the car that nearly collided with their vehicle. Photo / Michael Cunningham

NEW ZEALAND

7-year-old has message for bad drivers after near-miss

9 Jan, 2019 6:00am
3 minutes to read

7-year-old Northland girl does drawing of erratic driver and his car.

Most of the 15 cases of campylobacter in Northland so far this year were in Whangārei. Photo / NZME

NORTHERN ADVOCATE

Public health advice on hand hygiene

8 Jan, 2019 8:00am
2 minutes to read

Rise in campylobacter cases prompt health warning in Northland.

Brothers Zachary, 6, left, and Malachy Smedley, took to the pool at Maunu School on the temperature hit 28C in Whangārei. Photo/Michael Cunningham

NORTHERN ADVOCATE

Temperatures to continue in the high 20s

8 Jan, 2019 7:00am
2 minutes to read

MetService is predicting another hot week for Northland.

90 Mile Beach is strewn with rubbish in this picture, including small pieces of plastic.

NEW ZEALAND

Broken glass bottles and plastics discarded on beaches

7 Jan, 2019 2:22pm
3 minutes to read

Lifeguards are reminding people to be more responsible and pick up their rubbish.

Top Energy has been given a 10-year exemption to run its power generation and distribution businesses as one entity but wants longer-term certainty. Photo/Peter de Graaf

NORTHERN ADVOCATE | Business

Northland MP sponsoring a Bill that could benefit power users in the Far North

7 Jan, 2019 11:44am
3 minutes to read

Northland MP sponsoring an energy Bill that may benefit power users in the Far North.

Figures show residential property prices rose 21 per cent in less than a year to sit at $515,000. Photo / Michael Cunningham

NORTHERN ADVOCATE

Region the third best performing in New Zealand

4 Jan, 2019 7:00am
2 minutes to read

Residential property prices in Northland shows no sign of abating.

NORTHERN ADVOCATE

Northland officials considering fire ban across region

3 Jan, 2019 8:00am
3 minutes to read

Senior fire officials are considering a total fire ban in Northland to drive message home.

Omaha-based lifeguard Rhiannon Gill patrols Ruakaka Beach where about 500 people flocked to under clear skies. Photo/John Stone

NORTHERN ADVOCATE

Lifeguards pleased with beachgoers' behaviour

3 Jan, 2019 6:00am
2 minutes to read

Balmy weather to continue in Northland throughout this week.

Responsible camping ambassador Sue Halliwell handing out information leaflets to freedom camper Hayden Purdie in Parua Bay. Photo/John Stone

NORTHERN ADVOCATE

Illegal campers fined

3 Jan, 2019 6:00am
3 minutes to read

WDC issues 24 infringement notices to freedom campers.

The house on Henry St used by the former Whangārei Hearing Association was sold after the organisation was liquidated. Photo/Michael Cunningham

NORTHERN ADVOCATE

Court orders funds and assets to be distributed to two organisations

2 Jan, 2019 10:00am
2 minutes to read

Last act in the sorry saga of the former Whangārei Hearing Association.

Canadian highland heavyweight games female champion Susie Lajoie competes amongst men in the stone throw. Photo/John Stone

NORTHERN ADVOCATE

Bumper crowd throng Waipu Highland Games

2 Jan, 2019 5:00am
3 minutes to read

Waipu Highland Games again attracts a strong crowd on a humid day

Principal rural fire officer Myles Taylor surveys the scene of a large scrub fire at Matawaia that was lit despite a fire ban being in place across Northland.

NORTHERN ADVOCATE

Don't light unnecessary fires in dry conditions

1 Jan, 2019 8:00am
3 minutes to read

Northland fire boss pleads with people not to light unnecessary fires.

Kereama Bedggood-Noa, partner Gemma Elizabeth and their children Kaea, 7, and Reyah, 5, outside the service station where their car was stolen from. Photo/Imran Ali

NEW ZEALAND

Brazen car theft at Northland servo after keys left in ignition

31 Dec, 2018 8:00am
2 minutes to read

Car stolen as owner goes to pay at service station.

Josh Benli, 4, and little brother Ollie, 2, enjoy some much-needed treats on a hot day at the Town Basin on their way to Kerikeri. Photo/John Stone

NORTHERN ADVOCATE

Balmy Northland the place to be for New Year's holidays

29 Dec, 2018 7:00am
2 minutes to read

Good weather forecast for Northland until the end of next week.

Northland's latest Powerball winner is still working, despite winning $8.3 million. Photo / Supplied

NEW ZEALAND

$8.3m Lotto-winning Granny still working

28 Dec, 2018 7:00am
2 minutes to read

Northland grandmother still working despite winning $8.3m in Powerball.

Dargaville Countdown Junior manager Sharni Fredrickson celebrates after a $1 million Lotto First Division winning ticket was sold at he store for Wednesday's draw. Photo / John Stone

NORTHERN ADVOCATE

Countdown Dargaville sells another $1m Lotto ticket

28 Dec, 2018 6:00am
3 minutes to read

A ticket bought at Countdown Dargaville has won $1m in Lotto First Division.

Whangārei sisters Eva Corne, left, and Avi Damerell are relieved their loved ones back home are safe after the deadly tsunami. Photo / John Stone

NORTHERN ADVOCATE

Northland Indonesians relieved loved ones safe after tsunami

27 Dec, 2018 10:00am
3 minutes to read

Local Indonesian families are relieved their loved ones back home are safe.

Northland dairy farm consultant Tafi Manjala says the voluntary liquidation of Taratahi could cause a shortage of farm workers in the region. Photo / John Stone

NORTHERN ADVOCATE

Taratahi staff and students' future in limbo

26 Dec, 2018 10:00am
2 minutes to read

Farming consultant fears a shortage of farm workers in Northland.

Former honorary fisheries officer Chris Venmore is back with MPI but in a different role. Photo/John Stone

NORTHERN ADVOCATE

MPI invites sacked Northland fisheries officer to come back

13 Dec, 2018 2:00pm
2 minutes to read

MPI asks sacked volunteer fishery officer to come back.

Ten farms in Northland are being monitored for the cattle disease mycoplasma bovis. Photo / Supplied

THE COUNTRY

Ten Northland farms under watch for M. bovis

13 Dec, 2018 10:00am
2 minutes to read

No cattle herd to be moved from 10 Northland farms without MPI authorisation.

Carol Peters of One Double Five Community House says not all is doom and gloom on the social front in Northland. Photo / Michael Cunningham

NORTHERN ADVOCATE

Northland social issues not all doom and gloom

13 Dec, 2018 7:00am
4 minutes to read

Progress made on social issues affecting Northland.

Marlene Bowers,left and Lyndal Subritzky of the Salvation Army talking to Perry Boykett in central Whangārei about issues affecting locals. Photo/John Stone

NORTHERN ADVOCATE

Government urged to act on drugs and gangs in Northland

12 Dec, 2018 5:00am
3 minutes to read

Whangārei and Kaitaia residents wants drugs and gangs out of their communities.

Matthias Sachse and Simone Kruger welcome a $200 fine for irresponsible freedom campers in Whangārei. Photo / John Stone

NEW ZEALAND

Unruly freedom campers face $200 fine

11 Dec, 2018 6:00am
4 minutes to read

Whangārei District Council gets tough on irresponsible freedom campers.

Randolph and Karen Urlich's house in which defective panels were installed by Auckland-based Global Fibre8. Photo/Denise Piper

BUSINESS

Couple awarded $84k for faulty wall panels

10 Dec, 2018 5:00am
3 minutes to read

Faulty wall panel system sold to Northland couple.

Deidre Shelford has been jailed for seven years for encouraging her sons to continue assaulting a man. Photo/NZME

NEW ZEALAND

Egging her sons on lands Whangārei mum in jail

8 Dec, 2018 8:00am
3 minutes to read

Lengthy prison term for woman who urged her sons to violently assault a man.

Mack Attack's former owner and the company, Seafort Holdings, have had their conviction and sentence set aside. Photo/Christine Allen

NORTHERN ADVOCATE

Court quashes boat conviction and sentence

8 Dec, 2018 6:00am
4 minutes to read

Passenger Raewyn Russell broke her back in October 2014 while riding in high-speed vessel.

Patrick Tarawa's young age and genuine remorse persuaded a judge not to send him to prison for killing a Northlander. Photo/NZME

NEW ZEALAND

Judge explains 'lenient' home detention for coward punch

7 Dec, 2018 5:00am
4 minutes to read

No jail for the manslaughter of a Northland grandfather.

Patrick Tarawa was sentenced to home detention for a fatal king hit attack. Photo / NZME

NEW ZEALAND

'One punch' punishments a balancing act

6 Dec, 2018 6:00pm
5 minutes to read

A one punch offender's punishment can go higher depending on their intent.

Young age and genuine remorse saved Patrick Tarawa from going to jail for causing the death of Christopher Vujcich during a road rage.

NEW ZEALAND

Road rage: Home detention for 'coward punch' killing

6 Dec, 2018 12:24pm
2 minutes to read

Victim died from bleeding to the base of the brain stem and large fractures to the skull.

Christopher Vujcich died after being punched by Patrick Tarawa during a road rage outside a Kaikohe house. Photo / Supplied

NEW ZEALAND

Second punch killed man during road rage assault

5 Dec, 2018 6:00pm
3 minutes to read

A second blow to the head killed Kaikohe man Chris Vujcich.

SPCA say pet owners can face a $300 fine for leaving their pet animals baking in vehicles this summer. Photo/John Stone

NORTHLAND AGE

Leave pets baking in cars and risk a fine

5 Dec, 2018 8:00am
3 minutes to read

SPCA advises Northlanders against leaving their animals baking in cars.

Kelly Johnson, left, Claire Oberman and Tony Barry in the original Goodbye Pork Pie that was released in 1981. Photo/Supplied

NEW ZEALAND

Lawyer and actor Kelly Johnson pays tribute to director Geoff Murphy

4 Dec, 2018 6:00pm
3 minutes to read

Whangārei lawyer Kelly Johnson pays tribute to Kiwi film maker Geoff Murphy.

OneRoof figures show a small town like Kawakawa has made significant gains on the median property price rise front in 12 months. Photo / NZME

BUSINESS

Small Northland town, big property growth

4 Dec, 2018 6:00am
4 minutes to read

Latest median property prices released by OneRoof

Once Braxton Matthews, 5, was finished with face painting, he decided to take a ride on a minature horse. Photo / John Stone

NORTHERN ADVOCATE

Sunscreens and hats replace brollies at A&P show

3 Dec, 2018 4:38pm
2 minutes to read

Show numbers were down because of weather, but there was still lots of fun to be had.

Three helicopters were called in to fight a fire in scrub and pines at Whangaroa just over a week ago. Photo/Supplied

NORTHERN ADVOCATE

Six-figure bill for fighting out-of-control blazes in Northland

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

Fire and Emergency NZ spent more than $200,000 fighting fires in Northland.

Whangarei Hospital laundry assistant Keri Clark is among hundreds to receive a healty pay increases following years of negotiation. Photo/John Stone

NORTHERN ADVOCATE

Nearly 450 Northland DHB workers get significant pay rise

1 Dec, 2018 8:00am
3 minutes to read

Northland DHB workers get significant pay rise.

Leslie Cullen from Maungaturoto is helping Australian firefighters battle more than 200 fires in Queensland. Photo/Supplied

NORTHERN ADVOCATE

Northlander with a water tanker on the fire front in Queensland

1 Dec, 2018 6:00am
3 minutes to read

Northlander helping put fires out in Queensland.

The commercial vehicle which was shot at with what's believed to be a large bullet hole just above the tyre. Photo/NZME

NORTHERN ADVOCATE

Police appeal for info in suspected drive-by shooting

30 Nov, 2018 3:39pm
2 minutes to read

Suspected drive-by shooting in Whangārei

The getaway driver of a serious armed robbery of The Warehouse in Dargaville has been jailed for nearly four years. Photo / John Stone

NEW ZEALAND

Northland armed robbery getaway driver jailed

30 Nov, 2018 6:00am
3 minutes to read

Getaway driver of The Warehouse robbery sent to jail.

An investigation is under way to determine how a 65-year-old man died in the Ruawai River after a boating incident. Photo / Tania Whyte

NEW ZEALAND

Man found dead had gone to check fishing net

29 Nov, 2018 7:00am
2 minutes to read

Man found dead on Kaipara mudflats.

Kiwibank will open a standalone branch in Whangarei while New Zealand Post is looking for local businesses to offer postal services. Photo/Michael Cunningham

NORTHERN ADVOCATE | Business

Job losses not ruled out in Northland's post shop and Kiwibank branches

28 Nov, 2018 12:00pm
2 minutes to read

Possible job losses in Kiwibank and Post Shop branches.

Mellie Withers of Whangarei SPCA with staffy cross Peyton wearing a thunder coat to cushion anxiety. Photo/John Stone

THE COUNTRY

Dogs scamper during Northland thunderstorms

28 Nov, 2018 9:00am
3 minutes to read

Frightened dogs that bolted during thunderstorms are still lost.

Surface flooding from heavy rain made driving challenging around parts of Northland yesterday. Photo / John Stone

NORTHERN ADVOCATE

More rain and thunderstorms in store

27 Nov, 2018 5:00am
3 minutes to read

Weather prediction for Northland

Northland will play four crossover matches against Auckland, Canterbury, Wellington and Tasman in next year's Mitre 10 Cup. Photo/John Stone

NORTHERN ADVOCATE

Four tough crossover Mitre 10 Cup matches for the Taniwha

24 Nov, 2018 11:30am
4 minutes to read

Crossover matches for Northland for next year announced.

Forensic staff carrying out a scene examination at the Otaika Accommodation Park where Hamuera Wilson died from serious chest injuries. Photo/Danica MacLean

NORTHERN ADVOCATE

Earliest trial date for Northland murder suspect is early 2020

24 Nov, 2018 11:00am
2 minutes to read

Murder accused appears in the High Court in Whangārei.

The scene of a fatal crash on State highway One SH1 near of Waiomio, south of Kawakawa yesterday afternoon. Photo / John Stone

NORTHERN ADVOCATE

Repeated safety messages not getting through

24 Nov, 2018 6:00am
4 minutes to read

Looming 'silly season' brings stern message from police about driving habits.

Mikaya Kaipo is a rising rugby star who's long-term aim is a crack at the Olympics. Photo / Tania Whyte

NORTHERN ADVOCATE | Sport

Young rugby fanatic eyes Olympics

22 Nov, 2018 9:30am
3 minutes to read

Whangārei pre-teen sets her sights on competing in Olympics.

Alex Wright on the sealed section of Wright Rd with the rest to be completed by the middle of next year. Photo / Michael Cunningham

THE COUNTRY

Wright Rd residents rejoice as sealing begins

22 Nov, 2018 8:00am
2 minutes to read

Road sealing starts on Wright Rd.

The injured man with heavily bandaged hands makes his way to a waiting ambulance after being mauled by two dogs. Photo / John Stone

NEW ZEALAND

Horror as dogs maul Whangārei neighbour

22 Nov, 2018 7:00am
2 minutes to read

Neighbours watch in horror as dogs maul man in Whangārei suburb of Morningside.

BUSINESS

Business picking up for new airline to and from Whangārei

21 Nov, 2018 1:00pm
2 minutes to read

Twice daily flights into Whangarei aimed to avoid traffic peaks in Auckland and Northland.

Court proceedings ground to a halt when PSA members stopped work for an hour. Photo / John Stone

NORTHERN ADVOCATE

Striking court staff add to case delays

20 Nov, 2018 8:00am
3 minutes to read

Whangārei court staff go on lightning strike