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Veronica Byrne provided adminstration support to Opus on the Northland Bridges Project like the one at Matakohe when NZTA asked that she be removed. Photo/Michael Cunningham

NORTHERN ADVOCATE

Northlander wins employment case against NZTA

2 Jan, 2020 12:00pm
3 minutes to read

NZTA disparaged former employee that led her to losing her job.

More than $700 was used from Jeff Kelsall's credit card on a shopping spree by a woman he provided shelter for in his Kaikohe home. Photo/Michael Cunningham

PREMIUM

Kaikohe road worker gutted after trusting stranger

30 Dec, 2019 12:00pm
2 minutes to read

Northlander helps a woman who repaid the faith by fraudulently using his credit card.

Arna-Lise Harris fell pregnant with her sixth child while waiting since June 2018 for tubal ligation surgery. Photo / Tania Whyte

NORTHERN ADVOCATE

Demand exceeds operating theatre capacity

28 Dec, 2019 5:00am
4 minutes to read

Northlanders waiting an average of more than 100 days for elective surgeries.

New migrant Shima Behnoosh is settling in Whangārei and likes the relaxed lifestyle and its close proximity to Auckland. Photo/Tania Whyte

NORTHERN ADVOCATE

Best of 2019: North's population grew by 3600 in one year

27 Dec, 2019 6:00pm
3 minutes to read

An estimated 3600 people moved to Northland in just 12 months.

Whangārei nurse Tafale Maddren made sure everyone in the village in Samoa was vaccinated against measles. Photo/John Stone

NEW ZEALAND

Northland-based nurse in Samoa escape the worst

27 Dec, 2019 8:00am
2 minutes to read

Tafale Maddren made sure everyone in her village was vaccinated.

Ruakākā Surf Lifesaving Patrol Club captain Brenna Ahrens watches beachgoers not far from where a crabber drowned. Photo / Michael Cunningham

NORTHERN ADVOCATE

Be prepared, be ready on Northland beaches

27 Dec, 2019 5:00am
4 minutes to read

Double tragedy in the water in Northland on Christmas Day prompts fresh safety message

Northland contractors are poised for work opportunities on repairs and maintenance on the Auckland to Northland rail network. Photo / John Stone

NORTHERN ADVOCATE

Local contractors scoped for work on Northland rail line

26 Dec, 2019 1:00pm
3 minutes to read

Small Northland contractors expected to get work opportunities on rail line.

Titoki farmer Keith MacLeod, here with dog Abby and his stock, is not happy MPI didn't tell him cow on a neighbouring farm had tested positive for Mycoplasma bovis.

NORTHERN ADVOCATE

Northland farmer slams MPI over M. bovis after neighbouring stock test positive

26 Dec, 2019 6:00am
4 minutes to read

Northland beef farmer unhappy at a lack of notification about M. bovis infection nearby.

Kapakaitiaki member Tepara Jennings is among hapu members irate over people openly defying a rāhui at the Mermaid Pools. Photo / John Stone

NEW ZEALAND

Hapu irate at breaches of rāhui at Mermaid Pools

24 Dec, 2019 10:00am
4 minutes to read

Hāpu to seek police help in enforcing a rāhui over the Mermaid Pools.

John and Helen Schwartfeger standing on a pontoon at the centre of a protracted battle with the Northland Regional Council. Photo / John Stone

NORTHERN ADVOCATE

NRC spends $99k in fight over mooring structure fees

23 Dec, 2019 7:00am
3 minutes to read

Northland Regional Council spends up large fighting couple over remission of mooring fees.

Andrew Kevey of Water 2 Go is doing seven loads a day as demand for water surges at a time of insufficient rain. Photo/John Stone

NORTHERN ADVOCATE

Save water or live with restrictions, Northlanders warned

21 Dec, 2019 5:00am
5 minutes to read

Northland has had just half its normal rain as the big dry is predicted to get worse.

Kokopu dairy farmer Shayne O'Shea says the latest forecast price of $7.30 per kgMS is positive news in a volatile market. Photo / John Stone

THE COUNTRY

Northland farmers in line to earn $675m - if Fonterra forecast holds

19 Dec, 2019 5:00am
4 minutes to read

Northland dairy farmers cautiously optimistic latest lift in forecast price will stay put.

Hot and dry conditions are driving the usually nocturnal kiwi into open areas during the day to llok for food. Photo/Supplied

NORTHERN ADVOCATE

Kiwi drowns in a water trough on food run

18 Dec, 2019 11:00am
3 minutes to read

Dry weather in Northland is forcing kiwi to search for food in open areas in daylight.

Mark Cromie Motor Group breached the Employment Relations Act by unjustifiably dismissing an employee who was on a fixed-term contract. Photo / Tania Whyte

NORTHERN ADVOCATE

Northland car dealer unjustifiably dismissed employee

18 Dec, 2019 11:00am
3 minutes to read

Kwik Kiwi Cars in Northland ordered to pay employee over 23K it unjustifiably dismissed

Whangārei physiotherapist Skye Renes has been found not guilty on a majority of charges relating to defrauding the ACC. Photo/John Stone

NORTHERN ADVOCATE

Physiotherapy Board to decide Skye Renes' fate

18 Dec, 2019 10:00am
2 minutes to read

Whangārei physio found guilty on 3 of 29 charges relating to defrauding ACC.

The jury are deliberating on the guilt or otherwise of Whangārei physiotherapist Skye Renes. Photo / John Stone

NORTHERN ADVOCATE

Jury in trial of Whangārei physio still out

16 Dec, 2019 6:00am
3 minutes to read

Whangārei physiotherapist accused of defrauding ACC expected to learn her fate today.

Millan Ruka's hapu is disappointed NRC did not consult them before approving a replacement consent for water take near Poroti Springs. Photo / John Stone

NORTHERN ADVOCATE

Local hapu angry at not being consulted on water take consent

13 Dec, 2019 3:00pm
3 minutes to read

Replacement water take consent near Poroti Springs granted without public notification

Legal secretary Janis McCue was unjustifiably dismissed by lawyer Lynette O'Boyle, the Employment Relations Authority has ruled.

NORTHERN ADVOCATE

Lawyer claimed written employment agreement not a statutory requirement

12 Dec, 2019 6:00am
3 minutes to read

Whangārei lawyer ordered to pay former legal secretary she unjustifiably dismissed.

Vinegar Hill Rd resident Merv Tonks believes a reduction in speed limit won't make idiot drivers slow down. Photo / John Stone

NEW ZEALAND

Residents call for more police presence to catch speeding drivers

11 Dec, 2019 5:00am
5 minutes to read

Proposal to reduce speed on a number of high-risk Northland roads.

Whangārei palliative care specialists Walter Nasarek, left, and Dr Kees Lodder, far right, are keen to return to the largest refugee settlement in the world. Photo/Supplied

PREMIUM

Situation in Cox's Bazar doesn't deter Northlanders

9 Dec, 2019 3:00pm
3 minutes to read

Whangārei's palliative care specialists keen to return to Bangladeshi refugee camp.

Lizzie Holmes of Forest Protection Services in Whangārei putting in a backburn to strengthen a black edge. Photo / Supplied

NORTHERN ADVOCATE

Another crew returning home next week

6 Dec, 2019 5:00am
3 minutes to read

Whangārei firefighters heading back across the Tasman to replace another crew

Children and young Northlanders are being urged to get measles vaccination to make sure their summer holidays are not spoilt. Photo / John Stone

NORTHERN ADVOCATE

Confirmed measles cases in Northland now 128

5 Dec, 2019 5:00am
4 minutes to read

Push to have more people vaccinated ahead of the festive season in Northland.

Ueli Sasagi on an earlier trip to Samoa. This Christmas, his family have decided to postpone their trip due to the deadly measles outbreak. Photo / Supplied

PREMIUM

Northland-based Samoans postpone trip to the island

5 Dec, 2019 5:00am
3 minutes to read

Northland-based Samoans postpone trips back home for Christmas.

Donna Collins in personal protective equipment outside maternity isolation rooms where she's helping midwives who are short-staffed. Photo/Supplied

PREMIUM

Northlander helping combat measles in Samoa

4 Dec, 2019 5:00pm
3 minutes to read

Whangārei nurse seeing the scourge of measles in Samoa first hand.

Kaipara District Council's dog control officers. Photo / Supplied

THE COUNTRY

Education focus for new animal control officers

4 Dec, 2019 9:00am
3 minutes to read

Kaipara District Council's new animal control officers focus on public education.

Tackling social isolation through use of a friendship bench are Lianne Nicholas, left, June Rankin and Clara Correa. Photo/John Stone

NORTHERN ADVOCATE

More benches planned for the district

2 Dec, 2019 11:00am
2 minutes to read

Combat social isolation through chatting on friendship benches in Whangārei.

Avi Charan with wife Lucretia and son Billy moved to Hikurangi six months ago and are loving the place and its people. Photo / Michael Cunningham

NORTHERN ADVOCATE

Hikurangi among the best performing suburbs

2 Dec, 2019 6:13am
4 minutes to read

Smaller Northland towns the biggest beneficiaries in house sales

Hikurangi is the fastest growing town near Whangārei, given the number of house sales and growth in population in the past year. Photo/Tania Whyte

NORTHERN ADVOCATE

Locals and businesses optimistic about Hikurangi's future

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

Push for more tourists to swing by to Hikurangi.

Lucan Cresswell killed his partner and child in a road rage race that covered 10km along Whangārei Heads Rd. Photo / John Stone

NEW ZEALAND

Road rage driver jailed after death of partner and child

29 Nov, 2019 5:00am
3 minutes to read

Northlander threatened to send deceased partner's photo after causing her death in a race.

Julieta Beattie's three-year prison sentence for manslaughter frustrated the family of the man she stabbed to death. Photo / NZME

NORTHERN ADVOCATE

'This sentence is going to cause drama': Three years for manslaughter

28 Nov, 2019 6:00am
3 minutes to read

Family of Northland man fatally stabbed in his Moerewa home slam jail term.

The last of four people, Rocky White, involved in the aggravated robbery of The Warehouse in Dargaville has also been sent to jail. Photo/John Stone

NORTHERN ADVOCATE

Inside man: Robbery plan devised by ex-Warehouse worker

27 Nov, 2019 7:00am
3 minutes to read

Former employee jailed for helping plan aggravated robbery of the Dargaville Warehouse.

Constable Maneual Paul with a large cache of stolen items recovered from a Bream Bay house. Photo/Tania Whyte

NEW ZEALAND

Burglary bust: Stolen goods even include a kitchen sink

27 Nov, 2019 5:00am
3 minutes to read

Northland police bust burglary ring and recover everything, plus the insinkinerator.

Whangārei nurse Donna Collins is part of the New Zealand Red Cross health delegation helping contain the measles outbreak in Samoa. Photo / John Stone

NORTHERN ADVOCATE

Whangārei nurse and midwife helping in Samoa

26 Nov, 2019 5:00am
2 minutes to read

Confirmed measles cases in Northland reach 104, with one case under investigation.

Mahitahi Hauora chief executive Phillip Balmer is among those leading initiatives to recruit more medical professionals such as GPs to Northland. Photo / Peter de Graaf

NORTHERN ADVOCATE

Medical tourism plan to lure doctors to winterless North

22 Nov, 2019 5:00am
5 minutes to read

Primary care organisation outlines initiatives to recruit more GPs in Northland.

Whangārei physiotherapist Skye Renes is on trial for allegedly defrauding ACC of a large sum of money. Photo / John Stone

NORTHERN ADVOCATE

Physio accused of deceit on trial

21 Nov, 2019 6:00am
2 minutes to read

Whangārei physio accused of defrauding ACC of tens of thousands of dollars on trial.

Aimee Lindsay had a bright future in football and her death sent shockwaves among soccer clubs throughout. Photo/John Stone

NORTHERN ADVOCATE

Tributes for Aimee, 13, after shock death at school

21 Nov, 2019 5:00am
4 minutes to read

Northland football clubs' high praise for talented teen who collapsed and died.

Aimee Lindsay, 13, who collapsed and died at Kamo Intermediate on Monday. Photo / Supplied

NEW ZEALAND

'Beautiful girl with bubbly personality': Tributes for 13yo who died at school

20 Nov, 2019 11:42am
5 minutes to read

A 13-year-old girl's death at Kamo Intermediate has left staff and students reeling.

Kerikeri woman Bonnie Callaghan has some respite from the fires in Harrington but the risk isn't completely eliminated. Photo/Supplied

NORTHERN ADVOCATE

Induction over and now time for action

20 Nov, 2019 11:00am
3 minutes to read

Northland firefighters in NSW swing into action.

Serena Mata reckons her children had the best Christmas ever, thanks to the Salvation Army's Adopt a Family programme. Photo / John Stone

NORTHERN ADVOCATE

Mother-of-six reckons her kids had the best Christmas ever

19 Nov, 2019 12:00pm
3 minutes to read

Plea from the Sallies in Whangārei to sponsor hampers and gift packs to needy families

A disappointed Ray Arthur said Housing New Zealand should have looked at other suitable sites for state houses. Photo / John Stone

NORTHERN ADVOCATE

State houses construction to start in March

19 Nov, 2019 5:00am
4 minutes to read

State houses on Puriri Park Rd get the greenlight from independent hearing commissioners.

DoC has allocated $174,411 to expand the predator control network for kiwi protection in the Waipoua Forest. Photo/Supplied

THE COUNTRY

Nearly $800,000 of government funding comes to Northland

18 Nov, 2019 12:00pm
3 minutes to read

Kiwi protection in the Waipoua Forest receive the largest DoC funding grant.

Part of the Forest Protection Services crew that are heading to help fight ferocious fires on farmland and bush across New South Wales. Photo / Tania Whyte

NORTHERN ADVOCATE

Fifteen firefighters from Whangārei off to NSW

18 Nov, 2019 11:00am
4 minutes to read

Experienced Whangārei firefighters to help fight ferocious blazes across the Tasman

Carol James is one of the pensioners worried about council plans to sell off community housing due to the cost of maintaining them. Photo/John Stone

PROPERTY

Residents fret over a lack of maintenance on flats

17 Nov, 2019 7:00am
4 minutes to read

A lack of maintenance on pensioner flats necessitates their sale in Kaipara.

Homeless cousins Jarred Cooper, left, and Rangi Tangira chatting to Associate Housing Minister Kris Faafoi and Labour MP Willow-Jean Prime. Photo / John Stone

NORTHERN ADVOCATE

Kris Faafoi hears first-hand housing needs of the homeless

16 Nov, 2019 6:00am
3 minutes to read

Open Arms opens doors for minister to come in and listen to the plight of the homeless.

Almost all native regenerating trees destroyed by a fire on Abbey Caves Rd will be removed due to safety reasons. Photo / Supplied

NORTHERN ADVOCATE

Fire damaged trees a safety concern and will be removed

15 Nov, 2019 9:01am
3 minutes to read

Fire site handed back to the Whangārei District Council after risk considered low.

A contract dispute between Far North District Council and Rintoul Group has been referred to arbitration. Photo/Peter de Graaf

NORTHERN ADVOCATE

Contract dispute to be sorted at arbitration

10 Nov, 2019 7:00am
2 minutes to read

Rintoul Group unsuccessful in securing summary judgment against FNDC.

Jessie Heke-Gray's traumatic childhood has contributed to his violent sexual behaviour towards women. Photo / NZME

NORTHERN ADVOCATE

Inside the awful upbringing of a monstrous, violent rapist

9 Nov, 2019 12:00pm
4 minutes to read

Northlander's traumatic early life contributed to horrific sexual violence against women.

Whangārei nurse Kenneth Alo bought this house in Kamo for just under $400,000 in the middle of last year after moving from Auckland. Photo / Michael Cunningham

PROPERTY

High prices blamed for a drop in property values

8 Nov, 2019 6:30am
4 minutes to read

Combined with lower interest rates that will lead to better affordability.

Carole Minckley and Ben Padden, with friend Tim Atkinson, enjoying lunch on a balmy day at the Town Basin ahead of their wedding this weekend. Photo/Tania Whyte

NORTHERN ADVOCATE

Joy for some, pain for others as weather heats

6 Nov, 2019 7:00am
5 minutes to read

Humidity set to get worse this week before forecast rain this weekend in Northland.

A car was seen leaving the area before the fire on Abbey Caves Rd tore through 3ha of regenerated pine trees. Photo / Tania Whyte

NORTHERN ADVOCATE

Northland firefighters stretched attending to scrub fires

5 Nov, 2019 7:00am
3 minutes to read

Four fires in Whangārei being treated as suspicious

Councillors Phil Halse, left, Nicholas Connop and Vince Cocurullo listen to a briefing on elected member remuneration. Photo/Michael Cunningham

NORTHERN ADVOCATE

Changes to remuneration pool necessitates discussion

5 Nov, 2019 6:00am
3 minutes to read

Whangārei District Councillors discuss their pay then move on to other agenda items.

Whangārei Mountain Bike Club Ben Haseden looks on as firefighters battle the blaze on Abbey Caves Rd. Photo/Tania Whyte

NORTHERN ADVOCATE

Bike club may have to foot the cost of repairs

4 Nov, 2019 8:00am
3 minutes to read

Northland fire chief warns of the perils of lighting fires in dry conditions.

Peggy Hyslop with the four war medals belonging to her late husband Fred Hyslop that were found on Kamo Rd. Photo / Michael Cunningham

NORTHERN ADVOCATE

Four of seven medals stolen during burglary found

4 Nov, 2019 7:00am
3 minutes to read

Four of a war vet's seven medals stolen from a Whangārei home have been found on Kamo Rd.

The Black Rocks off Moturoa Island, from where two men whose boat smashed against rocks were rescued by Coastguard. Photo/Supplied

NORTHERN ADVOCATE

Men rescued off rocks in the Bay of Islands

3 Nov, 2019 11:22am
2 minutes to read

Pair spotted on cliff face in the Bay of Islands after their boat smashed against rocks.

Northland Regional Council changed its loan investments criteria to focus on sectors such as tourism after concerns on the calibre of applications it received. Photo/Supplied

NORTHERN ADVOCATE

Criteria changed to focus on other investment areas

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

Criteria for investment and growth reserve changed in Northland after disastrous loan.

Doug Schmuck says this week's Supreme Court ruling is a vindication after a 24-year legal battle. Photo / Peter de Graaf

NORTHERN ADVOCATE

Court gives Northland boat builder green light to use reserve

1 Nov, 2019 5:00am
4 minutes to read

Legal battle spanning more than two decades in Northland almost over

Sheryl Mai and Greg Innes are all smiles after being sworn in as mayor and deputy mayor respectively. Photo / John Stone

NORTHERN ADVOCATE

Mayor and councillors sworn in

31 Oct, 2019 7:38pm
3 minutes to read

Climate change and rising population to challenge Whangārei District councillors.

Pharmacist Shane Heswall is glad the Government has come to the party by allowing trained pharmacists to give measles vaccinations. Photo / Michael Cunningham

NORTHERN ADVOCATE

Ministry of Health okays trained pharmacy vaccinators to give MMR

31 Oct, 2019 8:00am
3 minutes to read

More than 35 pharmacy vaccinators in Northland to soon give measles vaccination

Penny Smart from Kaipara has been elected new chairperson of the Northland Regional Council. Photo / Michael Cunningham

NORTHERN ADVOCATE

Three women Northland Regional Councillors for the first time

30 Oct, 2019 5:00am
3 minutes to read

Penny Smart is elected the new chairperson of the Northland Regional Council

The class of '59 has come together again for a reunion at Whangārei Boys High School. Photo / Supplied

NORTHERN ADVOCATE

Whangārei Boys' High School's 1959 class still remember names of their teachers

29 Oct, 2019 7:00am
3 minutes to read

Half of the class of '59 manage to catch-up in Whangārei after a long time.

Sandra Bowden of Tawapou Coastal Native Plants monitors water use despite her business having council consent to draw water. Photo/Tania Whyte

NORTHERN ADVOCATE

Areas in mid and Far North received one third of normal rain

28 Oct, 2019 3:01pm
5 minutes to read

Council warns of potential drought in Northland as water restrictions start.

An artist's impression of what the new NRC building in Dargaville will look like once completed, hopefully by April 2021.

NORTHERN ADVOCATE

New NRC building in Dargaville to be ready in 2021

28 Oct, 2019 2:00pm
3 minutes to read

The Kaipara council will share office space with NRC at a yearly cost of over $721,000.