Mikaela Collins
Reporter
Mikaela Collins is a reporter 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.
Check out Mikaela’s latest content
Waitangi Day, Battle of Te Ruapekapeka events to go ahead but Iwi Chairs Forum held virtually
Commemoration events in Northland will still go ahead.
Ngāpuhi woman leading UK supermarket giant Ocado made CBE
Smith accepted the honour on behalf of her team at Ocado.
New Year Honours: Bishop of Te Tai Tokerau, Te Kitohi Pikaahu recognised
Bishop Te Kitohi Pikaahu said the New Year Honour was humbling.
Turbulent childhood no barrier for Whangārei scholar
Skyla Anderson-Wynn will study law as well as arts and commerce at university next year.
'I am a mana wahine': A journey from trauma to lawyer
Kristina Green says it's okay that it's taken 20 years to get her life on track.
Survey shows principals lack confidence in Oranga Tamariki
The survey showed 44 principals said there has been no dramatic improvements since CYF.
Water saving efforts needed despite downpour
Residents are being asked to reduce water usage so reservoirs can return to normal.
Water saving needed as reservoirs fall low after storm damage
While storm damaged treatment plants are back in action, the reservoirs have fallen low.
John Stone signs off after 38 years as an Advocate photographer
John Stone has many tales to tell after working at the Northern Advocate for 38-years.
Mullet in the Park: Jack Goodhue's mop pink and permed
The fate of the rugby star's mullet was decided by the public at the Kerikeri event.
Boarding school scholarship gives kids a 'new lease on life'
Boarding school helped one ex-student go from being needy to a strong young man.
Mixed feelings about proposal to hike teachers' registration fees
Some aren't happy with the increase, others say it is necessary.
Waitangi Day 2020: 40,000 enjoy whānau day out
The day started with a dawn ceremony followed by breakfast served by the Prime Minister.
Kerikeri's first Montessori school opens
The centre is the only Montessori school in Northland.
Pod of pilot whales spotted, locals asked to report sightings
The pod was last spotted close to shore off Marsden Point yesterday.
Chemo pump unhooked but Grayson's fight continues
Grayson was diagnosed with anaplastic large cell lymphoma when he was eight months old.
Principals happy to see school deciles scrapped
Principals say the public, and some educators, misunderstand what deciles are for.
Catholic school's uniform now has unisex option
The girls said the blouses were unflattering and uncomfortable.
'Eight or nine-metre' whale hits sailing boat
Rogue wave the first of double whammy for couple on 18-month sailing adventure.
Boat dented by whale in sea encounter
The couple on the boat were wondering what else could be coming their way.
Principals speak about violence and threats in schools
Principals say they need a range of support measures to cope with mounting violence.
Whangārei student gets into Stanford PhD programme
Only about 15 graduate students are accepted by the PhD programme each year.
Watch: Great white shark chews motor as family fish
Reece Samuels has been diving for 27 years but has never seen a shark so curious.
Funding needed to keep bird recovery centre alive after loss of sponsor
The centre is looking for more sponsors to keep it running.
Race Unity Speech Awards topic 'couldn't be more relevant'
Northland regional heat is next month; Christchurch attacks likely to feature in speeches.
Te reo Māori Bohemian Rhapsody shared on Queen Facebook
Video of the performance at Te Matatini went viral and now been given another boost.
Fundraising to vaccinate schoolkids
Shona Whitehead said many people in the community can't afford to pay for vaccines.
Family to be reunited after immigration says teacher's husband can come to NZ
Immigration NZ apologised and said the medical waiver and visa should have been granted.
Teacher wants husband with MS allowed into NZ to be with family
'I think it's inhumane... They're treating him like he's a criminal.'
Three charged after 54-year-old assaulted
Man stable in hospital after suffering serious head injuries in alleged Far North assault.
Principals: More truancy prosecutions needed
'We have a real problem with the ones that are deliberately being kept at home.'
Student honours late friend by buying 60 roses for classmates
The student bought a rose for every year 11 student.
Education hub brings together 600 teachers and 44 schools
The goal of the hub is to tackle attendance, transience, and mental health.
Kiwi toddler keeps smiling through cancer battle
Family fundraise as little Grayson relapses.
School's in: Miss Hood's first year teaching
This year is Whangārei woman Latoya Hood's first as a teacher.
Diver captures footage of 'odd' wormlike sea creature
The wormlike creature was about 5 to 10 metres long and tinged pink.
Toddler to spend Christmas in hospital battling rare cancer
The little superhero from Whangārei is continuing his brave battle.
Attack was spearfisherman's second encounter with a shark that day
The mako attack wasn't the Kerikeri man's first encounter with a shark that day.
Spearfisher frees himself from jaws of 2m mako shark
The attack hasn't made the Kerikeri man more wary of being in the water.
Spearfisher survives shark attack with fish intact
The Kerikeri man was spearfishing when the shark "came out of nowhere".
Thieves steal wigs for cancer patients
The wigs are for people who have lost their hair because of medical conditions.
Te reo cover of Bohemian Rhapsody goes viral
Group asked to translate the song after opening the APRA Silver Scroll Awards.
Photos: Kapa haka showcased at summer festival
Kapa haka to fore at first Hineraumati ki Raurimu Summer Festival on Thursday.
Surf life savers' much-needed radios stolen
Radios are needed to relay urgent messages from the clubhouse to lifeguards on the beach.
Northland groups win at Māori Language Awards
The awards are an opportunity to acknowledge commitment to Māori language revitalisation.
International students add $50m to Northland
The research shows 590 jobs are also supported as a result.
Ezekiel talks mental health with Harry and Meghan
Meeting with Duke and Duchess came only months after the young man met the Queen.
Teacher shortage: Four years to fill a job
Northland secondary schools are struggling to find staff, says Bay of Islands principal.
One-year-old superhero battles rare cancer
Grayson Partridge was diagnosed with a rare cancer at only 8-months-old
Child restraint rules add to teacher stress
Whangārei principal says calling police or exclusion only option for volatile pupils.
Restraint rules put pressure on teachers
One student urinates in front of the class, but teacher unable to intervene.
Master carver: Before written word, there was carving
Before Māori had written word, carvings told stories.
How do you order a Big Mac in Māori?
Shaquille Shortland is speaking only te reo during September.
Sisters help mum deliver baby brother at home
Sixteen-year-old Jordana caught her baby brother.
Counselling at college after assault
The Ministry of Education have provided funding for counselling and security.
Charter school: We've got no choice in this
Te Kāpehu Whetū will open as a designated character school next year.
Young Kiwi puts in request to hongi Queen
Ezekiel Raui is one of two New Zealand winners of the Queen's Young Leaders Awards.
QSM for Whangārei kaumātua Richard Shepherd
The 81-year-old was awarded the QSM for services to Māori and the community.
'Absolute stupidity': Four kids rescued in broken boat
Fisherman said he's never seen anything as bad as this.
Fears Māori achievement will drop with school change
The CE of the trust running Te Kāpehu Whetū fears academic achievement will drop.
Six-hour water search but no one found
Police are reminding people on the water to let someone know their whereabouts.
Company copies artist's work, apologises
Escape Rentals have posted a public apology on their Facebook page and website.
Crack up! Cheeky Northland shoplifter downs pants in store
The footage of the cheeky thieves has been viewed more than 8000 times on Facebook.
International delegates gather in Northland for indigenous summit
It's the first time New Zealand has hosted the conference, now in its third year.
Mars technology used to improve truck safety
Space technology could be fitted in Whangarei trucks in the next year.
Davis to host hui to shape Crown/Maori relations
The Minister is holding hui in Kaitaia and Whangarei to seek feedback on new role.
Extra police on road as crews repair washout
Extra police are on duty after washout limits access to top of Far North.
Northlander has breakfast with Obama
Deidre Otene was one of 20 leaders to meet Obama at a break.
'A traumatic brain injury is for life'
Steve Knott hopes by sharing his story he can change at least one life.
Joke to get TV show becomes reality
When Marcus Poa started a page to get a TV show it was meant to be a joke.
Fitness and anxiety testing for baby snapper
Snapper are being put through comprehensive physical testing.
Tuhoronuku say Ngapuhi ready to settle
Tuhoronuku say settlement money could be used for the betterment of whanau.
Remarkable escape as tree smashes onto car
'Reverse!'" Father's desperate call to son as hillside roars down onto road.
Peace, love, and hangi at Waitangi Day commemorations
It has been labelled the best Waitangi Day commemorations in years.
Prime Minister visits Karetu Marae
The Prime Minister visited as part of a celebration of Ngati Manu MPs.