Karina Cooper is Deputy News Director for the Northern Advocate
We are your advocate, Aotearoa. Uncovering stories that matter, asking hard-hitting questions of those in power, live-blogging sport events, monitoring the highs and lows of the NZX and providing Premium expert opinion and analysis. Bringing you distinctive, quality journalism and breaking news from across New Zealand and around the world. With specialists working together to create indepth reads, engaging video, and unmissable podcasts.

31yo's shock cancer diagnosis months after arriving in NZ
The one question on her mind: “Did I leave this too late?”

Former minister under fire for delay in Russell/Kororāreka name restoration decision
“What is says is that Māori are not important enough to make a decision about this."

‘Precious' kauri gum allegedly stolen from Waitangi returned, police say
Museum staff have been left appalled at what they say was a 'shameless' daytime theft.

Innocent shoppers attacked as fight spills out of Far North supermarket
Police have labelled the assault an 'appalling act' that has no place in the community.

Māori Battalion taonga stolen from Waitangi museum in broad daylight
The kauri gum treasure, the size of a small netball, was taken around midday on Sunday.

Jason Momoa filming leads to recovery of large trove of kōiwi on Far North beach
It turned out a farmer had been finding kōiwi on Elliot Bay for about a year.

Calls for sightings of whale with line tangled around tail off Northland coast
The whale is believed to be able to breathe as its head and fins are free from the line.

Firefighters battle blaze at Waipapa home
Five Far North fire appliances are at the scene.

'Dangerous' and 'scary': Life as a rough sleeper under a bridge
'Rats will crawl over you, confront you.'

Red tide looks to turn blue: Who led the race for Northland's seats?
A nail-biting race for one electorate had everyone on the edge of their seats.

Northlanders urged to join the hunt for NZ's next fallen meteorite
Nine known meteorites in the past 160 years have been found after landing in NZ.

Ruakākā homicide: Police name man found dead on road
Residents can expect to see an increased police presence in the coming days.

Police arrest man who allegedly forced motorist off road and took cash
A 20-year-old man has been remanded in custody after appearing in court.

Whangārei baker rises above national competition to win Baker of the Year
Bethany Friend says her award-winning skills began at a young age with her grandmother.

SH1 cleared after crash in Oakleigh
People are being warned to expect delays after a crash took place this afternoon.

Social supermarket running on empty as it fields around 50 calls for help a day
155 Whare Kai manager Samantha Cassidy says the demand for food grows year-on-year.

Whangārei colder than Invercargill overnight: Northland catches a chill
A colder than normal October is on the cards.

'My heart was pounding, I was shaking': Fears women are being targeted on rural roads
More women have come forward to share their alarming encounters with a lone motorist.

General election countdown: Meet the candidates vying for Te Tai Tōkerau
Tai Tōkerau candidates answer three questions critical for voters to know the answers to.

General election countdown: Meet the candidates vying for the Whangārei electorate
Whangārei candidates answer three questions critical for voters to know the answers to.

'Huge flash and loud bang' as lightning strikes gas bottle and sets home alight
Phone chargers were blown apart and plugs were sent flying from the walls.

Flood resilience in remote communities boosted with $8.9m in Govt funding
The Govt acknowledged the time its taken to assist Northland's remote communities.

'Tent city' stirs trouble for homeless day centre and local businesses
A group of homeless newcomers have refused to move their tents on a downtown street.

'Scary experience': Motorists forced to hide after car follows them on highway late at night
"Who knows what their intention was.”

FNDC moves toward stricter measures to curb 'out-of-control' cat population
But one councillor thinks council has set itself up to fail given the difficulties.

Unwell passenger evacuated from cruise ship 120km off Northland coast
The ship was 120km offshore when the passenger needed to be airlifted to hospital.

How a gifted pair of boots can make a difference: Call for more sporting donations
The small gesture of donating sports kit can make a big difference for someone.

History-making hometown showdown for boxing greats Mea Motu and Lani Daniels
“I’ve always dreamed of coming back home,” Kaitāia's Mea Motu says.

Aotearoa Social Workers' Day: Chef swaps the kitchen for life as a social worker
“It’s more of a vocation than a job. It’s where I’m supposed to be."

North Shore venue hopes to attract Northlanders to Juicy Fest
Festival organisers remind Northlanders that they never said they wouldn't return.

Seal pups most likely died from starvation, conservationists say
DoC says now is a hard time for juvenile seals as they try to make it on their own.

Reports of stabbing during Ruakākā break-in
Police say initial inquiries suggest those involved are known to one another.

Police officer pleads not guilty to sponge-launcher assault
The charge is related to an incident that took place in January this year.

Raw sewage spill: Woman left to pay $1300 bill after council sewer line blocks
The raw sewage spilling onto Cat Green's yard was just the beginning of the saga.