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
Kaitāia loses cellphone and broadband services after fibre cable cut
Work being done to install a fence post caused the outage.
Northland's Mea Motu defending world title against Thai opponent in Auckland
The title defence for Kaitāia’s world boxing champ Mea Motu is on April 26.
Leela Brown inspiring next generation of Far North Air Force hopefuls
The Kaitāia-raised comms and info systems technician shares her career steps.
Northland dairy farms improving effluent discharges, but a third breach consents
Northland dairy farms improving but a third still breaching effluent discharge consents.
Kaitāia to host 25 early Ford V8s at Saturday rally
Early Ford V8 vehicles to rally in Kaitāia
Big win for Far North if SH1 over Mangamukas reopens before Christmas
Delight at news Mangamukas in Far North to finally reopen before end of 2024.
Smiles all around at Kaitāia College special needs surf day
Kaitāia College special needs students all smiles in Ahipara surf
Far North's Te Oneroa-a-Tōhe Beach Board appealing for more council support
The board wants more resources and funding to carry out its role.
Plan to be best links course in NZ after Kaitāia Golf Club shoots up golfing rankings
Kaitāia Golf Club shoots up course rankings, but is aiming even higher
Far North trust plans 28 units to house elderly in Kaitāia
Homes for up to 56 elderly are set to be built by Kaitāia's Switzer Trust.
Students add voices to School Strike 4 Climate NZ rally
Students are demanding the Government take action to tackle climate change now.
Far North principals - school lunch programme has profound, positive impact
Principals from Far North kura in the Ngāti Hine rohe say school lunches vital
New online map shows Northland's storm-ravaged roading problems
Far North’s roading slip repairs available with online tool
No more Kiwibank in Doubtless Bay with closure of Mangonui service
Mangonui Kiwibank service closes despite eleventh-hour petition.
Elderly in Far North will have to give up homes over massive rates rise - Grey Power
Grey Power says 16.5 per cent Far North rates rise will see the elderly sell up.
Drought help extended to Northland farmers as big dry continues
Dry weather triggers Government support for farmers.
Delays in getting ear wax removed in Kaitāia mean three-hour round trip for the service
Suspended ear wax removal service at Kaitāia GP clinic leaves couple facing long trip.
Kaitāia Lions' 60 years of helping the community worth celebrating
Six decades of community work marked by Kaitāia Lions
Be good, be kind and don’t stress: Far North woman Dolly Urlich's secret to 100 years
Long-time Far North resident Dolly Urlich celebrates 100th birthday.
Massive Ruakākā solar farm could provide half of Northland's power
The proposal is to establish a solar farm with around 200,000 photovoltaic solar panels.
Far North facing 30pc rates increase over three years with 16.5pc rise first up
16.5 per cent rates first of three for Far North District Council
Covid RATs tests in short supply in Northland
High demand for Rats has caused supply levels to drop making the test hard to find.
Legendary Kaitāia league coach Jim Larkin who discovered James Fisher-Harris hanging up his cap
Far North man who discovered Kiwis captain James Fisher-Harris is retiring from coaching.
Generous Northlanders dig deep for Relay for Life
More than $120k raised from Whangārei Relay for Life.
Lani Daniels Supreme Award winner at Northland Sports Awards
Northland's sporting stars recognised at Northland Sports Awards
Kaitāia GP taking legal action against council over ‘huge loss’ on occupied land sale
Council defends buying occupied Far North section for reserve.
Northland's unused forestry waste could fuel major new industry
Almost all of Northland's manufacturing energy needs could come from forestry waste
Hot hot hot - Far North has one of hottest summers on record
Kaitāia and Kerikeri had third hottest summer on record.
Kaitāia’s Zane Kaaka takes out $30k top prize at Ninety Mile Beach Snapper Bonanza
Ninety Mile Beach Snapper Bonanza delivers success for local fishers.
Assault that left Whangārei security officer with serious injuries earns home detention
Home detention for assault that left Whangārei court security officer with bad injuries.
Local knowledge leads the way in Ninety Mile Beach Snapper Bonanza
Competition runs for five days with a cash pool of $72,000 up for grabs.
Kaitāia world champ Mea Motu back in boxing ring in April
Northland world champ's next boxing bout could be last in NZ
NZ's largest solar farm just the start of Northland's renewable energy campaign
The company behind Kaitāia farm in Northland to build an even bigger one.
Great conditions for Ninety Mile Beach Snapper Bonanza this week
Fishing competition brings 1000 anglers and millions of dollars to the local economy.
Kerikeri and Whangārei get gigs from Greg Johnson
Greg Johnson brings his songs to Kerikeri and Whangārei
Consent wanted for Kaitāia Wastewater Treatment Plant and discharge into Awanui River
Renewed consent sought for Kaitāia Wastewater Treatment Plant.
North cycling fans in for treat with Big Bike Film Night 2024
Big Bike Film Night in Northland with best short films from around the globe.
Kaitāia's new town square held up by structural design issues
The new town square is now set to open in April with a big celebration.
Drop in speed limits on parts of SH1 between Kaitāia and Pukenui
The SH1 route from Kaitāia to Pukenui gets speed limits reduced.
Northland gets a disabled entertainment extravaganza
A spark of entertainment for the Far North's disabled community.
GP may quit community after iwi occupation, 'forced' sale leaves him $130k out of pocket
Kaitāia GP Cecil Williams may leave town after huge loss on sale of his occupied land.
Doubtless Bay loses Kiwibank service - Kaitāia or Paihia now closest outlets
No plans to replace Kiwibank's Doubtless Bay service.
Mangōnui Waterfront Festival expecting 5000 to flock to town
Thousands expected for Mangōnui Waterfront Festival.
Country’s largest solar farm at Kaitāia switches on
More than 7700 homes can be powered by the new Kaitāia solar farm.
Kaitāia woman Lauren Ashby overcame doubts to go through Police College
Newly-graduated constable ready to reel in the big fish, and crims.
After $40 million and three years, Kāeo Bridge opens
The journey to the Far North on State Highway 10 is now much easier.
Kaitāia's Liz Olliver connecting people for Neighbours Aotearoa
Kaitāia woman building neighbourly connections for Neighbours Aotearoa
Latest augmented and virtual reality technology taking Far North youth on journey to their past
Augmented reality and virtual reality to tell story of Te Oneroa-a-Tōhe/Ninety Mile Beach
Mākutu may have led to return of taonga stolen from museum
Kaitāia’s Te Ahu Museum may increase security after a taonga was stolen.
Outlook for Kaitāia A&P Show a sunny day with plenty of family fun
136th Kaitāia A&P Show set to shine, with a glorious Far North day expected.
Chance for youth to shine at Far North’s Got Talent competition
Best of youth talent to take part in Far North’s Got Talent contest.
Far North folk asked how they want to be represented on council
The Far North's review is a chance for people to say how they want to be represented.
Kāeo’s new $40million bridge open both lanes from Saturday
Long-awaited Kāeo Bridge fully open from Saturday
Far North businesses have plan to attract people during Brynderwyns closure
Hope publicity campaign will bring people to the Far North during SH1 closure.
Northland's Sandy Bay dotterel chicks take to the sky
'It’s just incredible that they have survived to that stage, given the dangers.'
DoC shocked as children kick and abuse protected chicks on beach
Variable oystercatchers have been protected since 1922.
Overseas company spends $25m on 1800ha of Northland farmland for forestry
'We really need to be looking at what is the long-term forestry future.'
Dotterel chicks ready to fly from Northland beach
Threatened dotterel chicks on Northland beach ready to fly.
Fisheries Minister Shane Jones says fishing is his 'birthright' and offers support for fishing contest
Fisheries Minister wants police to ensure Far North fishing comp goes ahead.
$6.6m for Far North iwi Ngāti Kuri for vital environmental work
Ngāti Kuri gets $6.6 million for land restoration and save taonga species
Council defends taking dog from locked kennel on man's property
Sky was a stray a Kawakawa man wanted to adopt, but council took her from a locked kennel.
Northland weather outlook: Warm, wet this month
The last 10 to 15 days of January are ones to watch in terms of possible heavy rain.
Dotterel chick dies on Northland beach - warning issued to beware
It was important that people were aware of any nests and take precautions to avoid them.
'Deeply impacted whānau': Council to improve road after two young cousins die
After deaths of two cousins in Far North swimming hole, council to make road safer.
Police urge caution after Northland's horror Christmas weekend
Two Northland road deaths and suspected drowning spur police safety call.
Northland beware - thunder and heavy rain likely on Christmas afternoon/evening
Thunderstorm, heavy rain watch for Northland on Christmas afternoon
Two deaths on Northland's roads bring horror start to holiday period
Two people lost their lives on Northland's roads this weekend, prompting a police warning.
Dead wallabies spotted on side of roads: Northland urged to be alert for pest
Evidence suggests the wallaby sightings are genuine.
Focus on environment and te reo learning sees Far North principal win major award
Panguru principal Mina Pomare-Peita earns major award for school's te reo-based education
Electricity from huge Kaitāia solar farm now powering the country
It is New Zealand's largest solar farm.
NZ Events Association votes Whangārei’s Northland Events Centre the best in the country
Where's the best events venue in the country? Right here in Northland!
Breach of natural justice: Northlander wins Māori Land Court rehearing
But Māori Appellate Court also warns him his case was poorly made.
Whangārei Fight Night: Trish Vaka gets boxing gloves back on after four-year hiatus
Northland Kauri player on the Wahine Toa II double world champion card.
Turnaround sees Awanui named Most Beautiful Tiny Town
Awanui's huge efforts to revitalise itself have paid off.
From small Northland community to international climate change scientist
Northland's Georgia Grant lands L’Oreal-Unesco For Women in Science (FWIS) fellowship.
New Te Tai Tokerau MP outlines her top priorities for the next three years.
Mariameno Kapa-Kīngi is honoured that people have put faith in her.
Well-known businessman takes out the Business Hall of Fame award
The Northland Business Excellence Awards winners have been announced.
'It’s Pipiwai Hard all the way. Lani Daniels ready to add second world title belt to her locker
'I'll be sending her back with a blood nose - and no title.'