Mike Dinsdale is the editor of the Northland Age
Mike Dinsdale is the Editor of the Northland Age and also writes for the Northern Advocate. He has been a journalist in Northland for almost 35 years, working mostly at the Advocate, where he was News Director before moving to the Age. In that time he has covered most general news topics and has managed to cover virtually all of the region and visit almost all of its communities. He has interviewed thousands of Northlanders to tell their stories and is always eager to hold those in power to account. Mike has a passion for Northland and loves living in the region, after arriving from the UK in the 1980s. He enjoys the North’s stunning scenery and amazing people, and its world-class beaches. He loves music, football - and sport in general - and his family and friends. If you have a story to tell or something that needs investigating contact Mike at mike.dinsdale@nzme.co.nz OR editor@northlandage.co.nz
Te Ahu Library at Kaitāia has packed Māori Language Week programme
Māori Language Week celebrated in the Far Far North.
Far North man wants views on local body issues from public
Views wanted from Far North folk ahead of 2025 local body elections
Action plan to save Northland's iconic kauri Tāne Mahuta and transform Waipoua Forest
Far North’s Waipoua Forest and iconic tree Tāne Mahuta need saving, with new action plan.
Far North cats must be microchipped and desexed under proposed new council bylaw
Far North District Council has first ever bylaw for cats.
1 in 10 Far North children could be affected by fetal alcohol spectrum disorder
Far North has big issues from debilitating fetal alcohol spectrum disorder.
Obituary: Mayor leads tributes to council watchdog Des Mahoney, who saved ratepayers milions
Far North council critic Des Mahoney's lasting legacy saved ratepayers millions
At 82, Ray Broad still inspiring Whangārei footballers as he hangs up his boots
At 82, Whangārei football ‘legend’ Ray Broad bows out with a win.
Far North getting free breast health advice from Breast Cancer Foundation’s Pink Campervan
North folk to get free breast cancer advice from Pink Caravan.
Pickers' paradise: Treasure of classic cars under the hammer from Northland barn find
Barn find uncovers 120 classic cars, planes and machinery.
Kaitāia paedophile teacher James Parker back before the Parole Board
Kaitāia teacher James Parker is seeking parole after sexually abusing 20 boys.
Beam e-scooters still in Whangārei despite Auckland ban
District council's agreement with company different to those in Auckland and Wellington.
Boxing: Northland world champ Lani Daniels beats self-doubt to prepare for title defence
Northland world champion Lani Daniels contemplated giving boxing away
Te Hiku Media CEO Peter-Lucas Jones on Time Magazine list with Mark Zukerberg and other tech leaders
Te Hiku Media’s AI work was outperforming the world’s leading tech companies.
Northland's warm winter delivers record or near-record temperatures across the region
Overall, the nationwide average temperature for winter was 9.6C.
Kaitāia boxer Mea Motu in historic double world title fight in England
The Far North world champ has title unification bout in UK.
Far North drains causing farm flooding can't be cleaned until summer
Summer earliest Far North council can clean blocked drains that flood farms
$150,000 raised to send Far North rugby team to play in ancestors' homeland of Croatia
Far North Croatian descendants flying out for rugby tour of forefathers' homeland.
Far North flooding risk to reduce with $1 million Quarry Rd bridge upgrade
Kaitāia's Quarry Rd bridge gets government funding for upgrade to prevent floods.
Kaitāia couple's secret to 70 years of married bliss
Kathy and Ian Macnee celebrate a milestone anniversary with family and friends.
Far North musicians raise funds for Jayson Norris' cancer battle
‘’It’s just one way to help a fellow Far North musician.’’
Far North renewable energy resources soar with third solar farm starting
Far North's third big solar farm to be built at Pamapuria
Young Kaitāia boxers hoping to follow in world champ Mea Motu's footsteps to glory
Kaitāia Boxing Club young trio ready to take on opponents in Auckland comp.
Love Tennis? Free events in Northland could find next tennis stars
Love Tennis free events in Northland could uncover next generation of stars
Hope popular Mangonui Waterfront Festival can be revived
What's behind the festival's cancellation is revealed but there's hope for the future.
Northland Taniwha's Ranfurly Shield hopes on the line in Napier
It's been nearly 46 years since Northland last won the Shield.
Fundraiser to get Kaitāia darts player to youth world event in England
Kaitāia darts player Jaymie Hilton-Jones needs help to get to World Youth contest.
Flooded Far North farms caused by council inaction - farmers
Flooding from blocked council drains cause consternation for Far North farmers
Eleventh hour intervention sees Far North Artisans Fair return
Far North Artisans Fair back with something for everybody.
Kanak independence campaigner seeks support from Harawira whanau
More violence predicted: 'Things could get really bad'.
Far North's Taipā Beach Resort has new management company in charge with big plans
Taipā Beach Resort has new managers ahead of busy summer season.
Far North’s $50 million 10-year rubbish contract won by Northland Waste
Northland Waste is excited to provide additional local job opportunities.
Life as a mixed-race New Zealander explored in Kaitāia man Mike Bentley's poetry
The new book focuses on life as a Palagi-Samoan Kiwi.
Mangamuka highway job forced to go at snail’s pace for urgent repairs
An urgent repair job doesn't hold up Mangamuka repair work.
Far North Cook Islanders mark language week in Kaitāia
Homeland's culture and identity are celebrated in style.
Kawakawa, Moerewa and Ōtiria get multi-million dollar schemes to prevent devastating floods
The Kawakawa Deflection Bank and Ōtiria-Moerewa Spillway formally open to prevent floods.
Hard to get to, but Cape Brett Hut open for stays with stunning Bay of Islands views
The Cape Brett Hut in the Bay of Islands reopens for public bookings after major repairs.
'We didn’t expect this': Whangārei couple's identical triplets mean seven kids under seven
Whangārei couple's triplets expand family to nine
Conservation plan for Far North wants public submissions
Te Hiku Conservation Management Strategy out for public feedback
Bay of Islands cruise season to pump $25m into economy to delight of businesses
130,000 cruise ship passengers welcomed to Bay of Islands this season.
Far North teen allegedly used red and blue lights to stop women motorists
Teen arrested for impersonating police by using red and blue flashing lights.
Prime Bay of Islands waterfront holiday park on the market
The price has dropped by $500,000.
Northlanders Jane Molloy-Wolt, Jay Allen and Melanie Badenhorst finalists in prestigious Parkin Drawing Prize
Northland artists up for prestigious Parkin Drawing Prize award
Ahipara pensioner flats' wild cat problems continue for occupants
Long-running Ahipara wild cat issue yet to be resolved, to pensioner's chagrin.
Mangamukas still on track to open before Christmas
Works are going on around the clock to get the job finished.
Country's top GP award for Hokianga doctor Mark Lankshear
Hokiang Health's Mark Lankshear earns country's top GP award
Cyclone Gabrielle Appeal gives $3.5m to Northland groups for repairs and rebuilds
Northland's allocation is one of the highest in NZ.
Hannah Wilkinson's Kamo FC scores Fifa development cash
The club was delighted to receive the funding.
Ninety Mile mussel spat on mission to save Hauraki Gulf marine environment
Ninety Mile Beach mussels helping to save Hauraki Gulf marine system.
From Kaitāia to the world of darts: Jaymie Hilton-Jones to compete in professional youth world champs
Far North dartist's world youth champs appearance could lead to career.
Winter water safety warning as Northland's drowning deaths climb
Four drownings in Northland already double 2023 total for same time of year.
Paris Olympics 2024: Games already over for two of four Northlanders taking part
Four Northland athletes at Paris 2024 Olympics
Caught on camera: Waipoua Forest rats have taste for caviar
A discovery in Waipoua Forest is tempered by the presence of caviar-eating rats.
Visionary 50-year-old Kerikeri letter had warnings for town's future
The writer bemoans the impact of the motor car.
Daily bag limits raised to tackle kina issue
Those battling Northland’s kina barren problem are getting new tools.
Cat chaos at Far North pensioner flats in council sights
A woman says up to 50 wild cats live under and around her flat.
Kawakawa's quirky, colourful Hundertwasser loos get Heritage NZ plaque to mark status
Heritage NZ plaque to recognise Kawakawa Hundertwasser toilets' status
Five gold medals at major international awards for Kiwi winery
Northland winery The Landing Wine wins big at international awards.
Whangārei contractor's 20-year fight with council to continue with appeal
A Whangārei contractor's 20-year legal battle with the council is set to continue.
Cold North - region suffers chilliest day of year - so far
Chilly winter morning for Northland is 6C below norm
Anzac Day is muse for Far North mouth painter Kevin Griffiths
'I’ve always loved poppies because of the association with Anzac Day.'
Too much! It's raining wild cats and kittens in Far North pensioner's garden
50 wild cats too much for Far North pensioner in council flat
Te Hiku Community Board grants more than $85k for projects
The funding includes $20k for sports hub pool equipment.
Heroes, bigots, football and rugby - Chase star Shaun Wallace ahead of his Kerikeri show
The Dark Destroyer might even come face-to-face with the Egg Cups.
Far North's Got Talent final highlights district's fabulous youth
Youth show their skills at Far North's Got Talent final.
Dry July: Far North couple who went through cancer journeys at same time speak in support
Far North cancer survivors Steve and Valerie Smith are getting behind Dry July.
Still no Sweetwater for Kaitāia as project is believed to top $20m
Costs of Kaitāia's new water source soar, but no water yet.
Far North could be best place to see Matariki stars this week
Matariki star system visible from Far North this week
Big slip won't stop Mangamuka Gorge reopening by Christmas - NZTA
New large slip won't stop SH1 over gorge reopening by Christmas.
Kaitāia Primary School could have longest running education site in the country
190 years of education at Kaitāia Primary site recognised
Big Shout Out to Far North's army of volunteers
Volunteers from the Far North honoured for National Volunteer Week
$150k spent clearing illegal dump sites could pay for community infrastructure instead
Fly-tipping is a problem the district council is struggling to deal with.
School helps put in plants at Far North's Little Gem dune lake
Arbour Day in Far North sees 1400 plants put in around dune lake
SH10 roadworks in Far North should end farmer's safety concerns
Far North farmer delighted highway work finally under way on dangerous surface.
Hundreds of spaces in Northland for National Volunteer Week
Far North volunteers say helping others brings great rewards.
Every dog has its (work)day in Kaitāia ahead of National Take Your Dog To Work Day
The Far North town is already leading the pack.
Moerewa speed camera issuing tickets in a Far North first
Moerewa's new-generation speed camera in Northland now nabbing speedsters.
Lights, camera, action: Far North's Got Talent youth gear up for final
12 talented youngsters in Saturday's Far North's Got Talent final.