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Latest FromJulia Czerwonatis

These transitional housing units in Otahuhu. Auckland, are an example of what the Ruakaka units could have looked like. Photo / Supplied

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Transitional housing plans canned after community steps up

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

Kāinga Ora's plans for 31 transitional housing units were suddenly cancelled last week.

Dairy farmer and possum trapper Ard Schraag with the yield of the day. Photos / Julia Czerwonatis

THE COUNTRY

On the hunt with a trapper: 'You have to think like a possum to kill a possum'

7 Dec, 2019 7:00pm
9 minutes to read

"Possums are fussy eaters. They only eat the best of the best."

Russell Watson, principal engineer at Northpower, discusses new locations for the EV charger. Photo / Michael Cunningham

NORTHERN ADVOCATE

Tutukaka EV charger to find a new location

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

A petition to save the EV charger has more than 580 signatures.

Tutukaka business owner Jeroen Jongejans next to the disputed EV charging station. Photo / John Stone

NEW ZEALAND

Community charged after landlord requests removal of EV station

5 Dec, 2019 7:00am
4 minutes to read

The EV charger was installed five years ago by Northpower.

Festival of Christmas Trees committee member Diane Pennington at St John's Church. Photo / Michael Cunningham

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Christmas trees bring joy to community

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

St John's Golden Church in Kamo has more than 50 trees on display.

Mangawhai's first fairy tern chick of the season was born last Thursday. Photo / Finn McCool, DoC

THE COUNTRY

Two newborn fairy terns push up population of endangered bird

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

Two chicks, one at Mangawhai and the other at Pakiri, hatched on Thursday.

The appeal runs until December 17 with drop-off points at 88 Robert St and the Whangārei Central Library. Photo / File

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Northern Advocate collects toys for children in need

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

The Northern Advocate asks for people to donate toys, games and non-perishable food.

Principal Pat Newman would like to rejuvenate classrooms at Hora Hora School. Photo / John Stone

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Schools plan revamp after govt cash injection

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

The funding plan allocates $700 per student for much needed maintenance work.

Snoopy as the World War I flying ace who took on the Red Baron.

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Opinion: Confused German attempts to understand 'Snoopy's Christmas'

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

We all love a bit nostalgia, but "Snoopy's Christmas" is definitely outdated.

Deborah, left, dog lady Nora and Felicity Wynyard are passionate about animal welfare. Photos / Michael Cunningham

THE COUNTRY

Lack of vets in South Pacific draws Whangārei volunteers to Tonga

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

They'll do health checks, desexing, vaccinations, parasite treatment and operations.

Associate Housing Minister Nanaia Mahuta and Northland-based MP Willow-Jean Prime visiting Open Arms for Housing Hui. Photo / John Stone

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Housing hui calls for better collaboration across the spectrum

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

Minister Nanaia Mahuta and MP Willow-Jean Prime attend a Housing Forum in Whangārei.

Dr Michael Kalkoff, left, and Telehealth service specialist Dean Oldham talking to Kaitaia SMO Dr Damien Marsh via new telehealth technology. Photo / Tania Whyte

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New medical technology links rural patients to ICU specialists

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

Northland hospitals first in the country to get new telemedicine system.

Marjorie Smith with a photo of her UK family who she only met 10 years ago. Photo / John Stone

THE COUNTRY

Marjorie Smith hits 100-year milestone

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

Born in Ireland, Smith moved to New Zealand in the 1950s and bought a farm.

Dai Henwood is set to visit Whangārei with Jeremy Corbett and Paul Ego at the end of November. Photos / MediaWorks

PREMIUM

Q&A with Dai Henwood: 'Live shows can get loose'

23 Nov, 2019 3:00pm
5 minutes to read

7 Days comedian Dai Henwood talks about comedy and a potential life as a rural postie.

Wendy Giffin, mother of Casey Smith who passed away in 2012, with the taonga carved in memory of her son. Photo / John Stone

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Onerahi honours 'crack-up fella' Casey Smith with memorial match

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

This year's memorial match raises funds for the recessed Onerahi Rugby Club.

Chief fire officer Darrell Trigg said the vegetation was dry and could easily catch fire at this time of the year. Photo / Michael Cunningham

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Ruakaka and Kaikohe scrub fires spark safety message from firefighters

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

"People need to be extra vigilant at this time of the year."

Hikurangi School students present their mudfish petition to MP Willow-Jean Prime. Photos / Facebook

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Mission to save Hikurangi mudfish has led class to parliament

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

The habitat of the black mudfish is shrinking endangering the native species.

The Coral Discoverer has been in Whangārei several times for her annual survey.

THE COUNTRY

Luxurious yachts anchor in Whangārei boosting local economy

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

Graeme Hart's $50 million superyacht J'Ade in for maintenance.

Aaron Maple's business signs have supposedly been damaged with a sledgehammer. Photo / Michael Cunninghgam

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Reward offered to find vandals smashing signs with sledgehammers

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

Unknown vandals were tagging word "toxic" on the billboards.

A female manta ray washed up at Rarawa Beach, on the Far North east coast on Wednesday afternoon. Photos / David Pattemore

NEW ZEALAND

Beached monster manta ray stuns scientists

15 Nov, 2019 12:41pm
4 minutes to read

Scientists have travelled to the Far North after the sea surrendered a 4.3m manta ray..

Shaun Wallace with Brendan Lochead, founder of Believe It Or Not Quiz Events, his wife Annabelle, daughter Sophie and son Harrison. Photo / Believe It Or Not

NORTHERN ADVOCATE

'You're never too old to learn': Shaun Wallace's message to Whangārei audience

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

All tickets were sold out far ahead of the event at the Dickens Inn, Whangārei.

Student Riley Bishop explains about the unique abilities of the black mudfish. Photo / John Stone

THE COUNTRY

Elusive mudfish given fighting chance by Hikurangi students

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

Their habitat is the shrinking Hikurangi wetland.

Kathy Baker, Pat Gavin and Raewyn Bell present some of their great gardening works. Photos / Tania Whyte

NORTHERN ADVOCATE

Award-winning cemetery thanks to volunteer's work

11 Nov, 2019 6:00am
4 minutes to read

Gardens recognised in awards.

Rain is forecast in Northland. Photo / File

NORTHERN ADVOCATE

Showers and potential thunderstorm to hit Northland after dry spell

11 Nov, 2019 5:30am
2 minutes to read

Temperatures down to 19 degrees after hot and dry week.

The historic wharf was more than 100m long and 3m wide. Photo / John Stone

THE COUNTRY

Mangawhai's hopes to reinstate a piece of history

9 Nov, 2019 2:25pm
3 minutes to read

The old wharf fell into disrepair after World War II.

Vegan pie creator Tania Sumich with her chicken and leek pie. Photos / John Stone

PREMIUM

When a Kiwi classic turns vegan: Waipu café's meatless pie success

7 Nov, 2019 2:30pm
6 minutes to read

Logan McLean won two prizes at won two prizes at the New Zealand Vegan Pie Awards.

Having public fireworks displays like the one on Saturday night at Semenoff Stadium means people can experience fireworks safely. Photo / Tania Whyte

NORTHERN ADVOCATE

Guy Fawkes celebrations tinged with safety concerns

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

The private use of fireworks is not likely to be banned in the near future.

NZTA asks drivers to stick to the speed limit and leave two car lengths' space between two vehicles. Photos / File

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Over 100km of Northland state highway lanes to be repaired before Christmas

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

The Transport Minister said 212.4km of state highway lanes will be resealed before March.

Whangārei Boys' High School student Liam Holroyd and teacher Iain Haynes working on a go-kart. Photo / John Stone

PREMIUM

Workshop better than office desk: students learn trades skills before leaving school

31 Oct, 2019 5:00am
5 minutes to read

Over 500 Northlanders linked their school education with career training this year.

The fire at the Whangārei Municipal building on Bank Street broke out on October 10 causing major damage to the old town hall. Photo / Kristin Edge

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Multiple sclerosis charity faces total loss after town hall fire

30 Oct, 2019 10:00am
2 minutes to read

Investigators assume an electrical fault cause the fire in Whangārei's iconic building.

Environmental educator for CBEC Eco Solutions Anton Bowker picking up rubbish at Mair Park. Photo / John Stone

THE COUNTRY

Plastic pollution in Hātea Awa third highest in country

29 Oct, 2019 5:48am
6 minutes to read

Most of the litter found is plastic items and food wrappers.

Karen Lee and Nicholas Connop at the Keep New Zealand Beautiful prize-giving in Dunedin on October 24. Photos / Love Whangārei Monthly Clean Up Facebook page

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Green couple win community award with Whangārei clean-up charity

28 Oct, 2019 9:00am
3 minutes to read

The FORCE charity group have picked up 13 tons of rubbish in the past two years.

Vicky Gavin and her four-year old daughter Amelia Foster get to see Pikiake. Photos / Tania Whyte

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Kiwi bird becomes ambassador for Māori sign language

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

The young female is called Pikiake and was released in Tutukaka on Friday.

Members of Northern region's Waipu Cove surf club Rick Stolwerk, Emily Stolwerk, Mick Curran, Jaine Curran, and Jaimie Curran prepare for the upcoming season. Photo / Tania Whyte

NORTHERN ADVOCATE

Labour weekend beckons beachgoers as surf clubs start patrolling

26 Oct, 2019 5:00am
6 minutes to read

Northland surf clubs undertook a total of 34 rescues and 86 assisted rescues last season.

Bidfood workers are striking for better pay with support of FIRST union. Photo / Tania Whyte

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Whangārei workers of global company demand fairer wages

25 Oct, 2019 6:00am
3 minutes to read

FIRST Union members from the Whangārei Bidfood branch will be striking until Tuesday.

The 20-year consent term allows for up to four extractions, conducted every five years. Photo / File

THE COUNTRY

Sand excavation at Matapōuri to restart despite stark opposition

24 Oct, 2019 3:00pm
4 minutes to read

From 30 submissions the resource consent application received, 17 opposed the plans.

Medusa as part of the WOW show in Wellington. Photo / WOW Facebook

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Imposing Medusa at WOW created by Whangārei business

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

Local business Palmer Canvas was commissioned by WOW to build the prop.

Whangārei man Simon Namana will be running the Loop Walk for 12 hours to raise funds for veteran support service No Duff. Photo / John Stone

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Whangārei veteran runs 12 hours for fellow servicemen and women

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

No Duff forced to cut support service for veterans due to insufficient funding.

The Whangārei Town Basin's Loop Walkway will be resplendent in pink again on Sunday for the Pink Loop Walk to raise funds for the Breast Cancer Support.

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Loop walk to turn pink for breast cancer event

17 Oct, 2019 1:00pm
3 minutes to read

The 4.2km walk circling Hatea River will be decorated and lined with entertainment.

Contractor Hayden Andrewes, left, and Baylys Beach Community Trust chair Grant Suckling at the construction site. Photo / John Stone

NORTHERN ADVOCATE

Northland's wildest beach soon to home lifeguards

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

Construction might halt in mid-November, if no new grants are allocated.

Working for Māori mental health provider Ki A Ora Ngātiwai, Kylie Eggleton wants to reduce inequalities between the health of Māori and non-Māori. Photo / Supplied

NORTHERN ADVOCATE

Preliminary results: New faces for Northland DHB, including Māori health advocate

14 Oct, 2019 5:00pm
4 minutes to read

Several new board members expected to join Northland DHB.

Whangārei Bird Recovery Centre manager Robert Webb helped the kiwi hatch last week after a rescue put the egg in distress. Photos / Tania Whyte

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Kiwi chick moves into crèche after successful hatch

14 Oct, 2019 10:00am
4 minutes to read

A Kiwi chick that hatched last week in an incubator has been moved to a brooder box.

Melanie Payne is running for the Okara Ward campaigning to represent all its residents, including the transgender community. Photo / Tania Whyte

NORTHERN ADVOCATE

Local election billboards tagged with transphobic messages

12 Oct, 2019 11:43am
4 minutes to read

Billboards of transgender Okara Ward candidate have been tagged.

Dickens Inn general manager Mark Leslie Ellis and event organiser Kevin Salmon practising for the big quiz night with Shaun Wallace. Photo / John Stone

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Dark Destroyer to visit Whangārei for show night

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

The Chase star Shaun Wallace is coming to Dickens Inn for show night.

Kaumātua Hōne Martin regards the canoe prow and all other taonga as living entities that have been

NORTHERN ADVOCATE

Taonga return to Northland after being kept in Auckland for a century

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

The Kauri Museum in Kaipara receives 162 artefacts from Auckland Museum

The healthy female will stay in the incubator until she moves into a brooder box on Tuesday. Photos / Supplied

THE COUNTRY

'Fat, healthy' kiwi hatches after rescue

7 Oct, 2019 10:00am
3 minutes to read

Female kiwi chick hatched successfully in Whangārei.

Katana Ratima, 3, Phoenix Tapp, 4, and Dre Tangariki-Pou, 3, from Kererū Kindy and their new pātaka kai. Photos / Michael Cunningham

NORTHERN ADVOCATE

Kindy builds pātaka kai to share with community

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

Regent kindergarten installs community pantry with fresh produce.

Volunteer firefighter Jeff Pipe doesn't understand why people would complain about traffic congestion for one event a year. Photos / Michael Cunningham

PREMIUM

Northland Christmas parade cancelled over traffic congestion

3 Oct, 2019 6:00am
4 minutes to read

Onerahi Christmas parade is being cancelled this year while Kamo parade was saved.

Voting is off to a slow start in Whangārei despite candidates doing their best to attract people's attention. Photo / John Stone

NORTHERN ADVOCATE

Whangārei local election voting returns low so far

2 Oct, 2019 9:00am
3 minutes to read

Update on local election voting in the Whangarei district.

Ken Rayward from the Mangawhai Harbour Restoration Society is working with his community to free their estuary from mangroves. Photos / Michael Cunningham

THE COUNTRY

The silence of the mangroves

2 Oct, 2019 5:00am
10 minutes to read

Benefits and deficits of mangrove expansion in Northland

Denise Lemmen submitted her grandmother's lemon meringue pie to the Sweet Louise cookbook which is being released today. Photo / Michael Cunningham

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Whangārei woman publishes pie recipe to raise funds for breast cancer

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

Charity is publishing a cookbook to raise funds for Kiwis with breast cancer

Whangārei family with Costa Pastor Hope (left), Loren Hope, Niko Pastor Hope and Ginés Pastor engaging in the climate strike. Photo / Michael Cunningham

NORTHERN ADVOCATE

Northland Climate Strike: 'This is an emergency'

28 Sep, 2019 1:25pm
3 minutes to read

Climate strikes happening in Whangarei, Kerikeri and Kaitaia.

Te Aranga Hopa with his mother Hinemoa Hopa and Lions district governor Judy Allison. Photos / Supplied

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Young kapa haka leader wins Lions community award

26 Sep, 2019 10:00am
3 minutes to read

Lions Clubs held their annual Young Ambassadors Award night in Whangarei

Rosie Werner and Catherine Murupaenga-Ikenn are organising climate strikes in Whangārei and inviting people of all ages to join. Photos / Michael Cunningham

NORTHERN ADVOCATE

Climate change: Striking for a better future

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

Northland's youth organises several climate strikes on Friday

From left, June Grove, past Parkinson's Patron, Elizabeth Swift, current Patron, Wilma Davies-Colley, past Parkinson's President and life member Marilyn Edwards. Photos / John Stone

NORTHERN ADVOCATE

Parkinson's fundraiser event a success

25 Sep, 2019 1:00pm
3 minutes to read

Parkinson's Northland organised a fundraising event at Jane Mander.

Residents of Graham and Huapai streets officially declare their neighbourhood smokefree. Photos / Michael Cunningham

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Whangārei residents declare NZ's first smoke-free street

24 Sep, 2019 8:00am
2 minutes to read

Whangārei residents launched project to make their Kensington street smokefree

Nearly 90 per cent of all secondary schools in Northland and Auckland are aware of students vaping, survey finds. Photo / File

NEW ZEALAND

Vaping on the rise in Northland schools, survey finds

23 Sep, 2019 5:00am
4 minutes to read

The Cancer Society has released a survey that indicates more kids are smoking at school.

Retired doctor Len Thompson has successfully implemented a smoke-free zone in Graham and Huapai streets in Kensington. Photos / Michael Cunningham

NORTHERN ADVOCATE

Whangārei smokefree street a NZ first

19 Sep, 2019 7:00am
3 minutes to read

Graham and Huapai streets in Kensington to become smokefree after resident-run initiative.

Nicole Robinson (fourth left) together with last year's finalists at the Young Ambassadors awards night. Photo / Supplied

NORTHERN ADVOCATE

Lions to award young Whangārei community leaders

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

Kamo Lions Club host the annual Young Ambassador Awards in Whangārei this year.

JPGFifteen-year old Curtis Robinson is raising awareness for for people with hearing impediments on Loud Shirt Day, September 27. Photos / John Stone

NORTHERN ADVOCATE

'I was hearing moreporks for the first time in my life'

18 Sep, 2019 6:00am
5 minutes to read

Life changed profoundly for a deaf Whangārei teen after he received cochlear implants.

Luca Kuraia (left), Finn Harvey and Flynn Symonds study history at NCEA level at Whangārei Boys' High School and welcome changes to the curriculum. Photo / Michael Cunningham

PREMIUM

Focus on NZ history welcomed at Boys' High

17 Sep, 2019 2:30pm
5 minutes to read

Whangarei Boys High School students talk about history class and why it's important.

Jess Costello, Chief Lifeguard Instructor at Mangawhai Heads, and Andrew Mumford St John Ambulance paramedic next to the new automated external defibrillator (AED). Photo / Supplied

PREMIUM

Beachgoers to stay safe along Northland coast

14 Sep, 2019 5:00am
4 minutes to read

Surf Life Saving season is kicking off with new AEDs available on Northland beaches.