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The Rev Kuini Matene blesses the 40,000-year-old swamp kauri log at Ngāwhā Marae. Photo / Peter de Graaf

NEW ZEALAND

Giant Ngāwhā kauri log dated to 40,500 years old

22 Mar, 2019 5:21am
4 minutes to read

Ngāwhā Marae trustees will discuss what to do with the 60-tonne, 16-metre tree

Kaia Derbyshire (centre) organised a mufti-day fundraiser for the Christchurch attack victims which has been spread to more than dozen primary schools around the Mid North. Lending their support are Bay of Islands International Academy students (from left) Aimee Croucher, 9, Hannah-May Croucher, 10, Eva Whyman, 10, Keira Featherstone, 10, and Nate Brewer, 10. Photo / Peter de Graaf

NORTHERN ADVOCATE

Mid North schools join pupil's Christchurch fundraiser

21 Mar, 2019 8:00am
2 minutes to read

Kaia Derbyshire, 10, wanted to show support and help victims' families financially.

German backpacker Marvin Rieger with fellow travellers Greg Tasker and Katharina Wallhorn, and all that's left of his car after it was stolen and torched. Photo / Peter de Graaf

NEW ZEALAND

Backpacker's 'amazing' car stolen from Paihia hostel, torched

20 Mar, 2019 6:00pm
3 minutes to read

Traveller, 19, heartened by community's offers of help.

Kids get crafty at last year's Ngā Purapura Festival in Kaeo. Photo / Peter de Graaf

NORTHERN ADVOCATE

Kids get creative in Kāeo

20 Mar, 2019 2:00pm
10 minutes to read

A round-up of news snippets, events and oddities from the Bay of Islands and Mid North.

Plumes of steam rise at Ngāwhā during testing last October at the site of a geothermal well for the new power station. Photo / Top Energy

THE COUNTRY

PGF boosts Kaikohe industrial park plan by $890k

20 Mar, 2019 10:00am
3 minutes to read

Industrial park aims to lure industry and jobs to the Mid North with low-cost power.

Cancer patient Whitinga Harris, with his sons Waaka, 9, and Heremia Grace-Harris, 12, is urging Northlanders to see a doctor if they suspect something isn't right. Photo / Peter de Graaf

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Cancer patient's plea: 'Get seen, get checked'

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

Don't be whakamā (shy) — see your doctor if something's not right.

Emergency services at the entrance to Rainbow Falls, Kerikeri, on Saturday afternoon. Photo / Peter de Graaf

NEW ZEALAND

Man dies while swimming at Rainbow Falls

18 Mar, 2019 6:29am
2 minutes to read

The 24-year-old had been visiting the Bay of Islands with friends.

Russell School pupils march through the town calling for climate action. Photo / Peter de Graaf

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Northland students call for action on climate change

16 Mar, 2019 6:00am
6 minutes to read

Students in Russell, Kerikeri and Whangārei took to the streets as part of global strike.

The Pinnacles lookout at the Grampians National Park in Victoria, Australia. Photo / Getty Images

TRAVEL

National Park: High points in the Grampians

14 Mar, 2019 11:00am
3 minutes to read

Planning to explore the Victorian national park?

A truck is forced on to the wrong side of Cobham Rd to get around double-parked buses. Photo / Supplied

NORTHERN ADVOCATE

Safety fears over Kerikeri coach stop chaos

14 Mar, 2019 8:00am
3 minutes to read

Bus drivers, shopkeepers surprised no one has been hurt in daily coach stop chaos.

Whitinga Harris, who is battling stage four colon cancer, at home with his sons Waaka, 9, and Heremia Grace-Harris, 12. Photo / Peter de Graaf

LIFESTYLE

Race against time to raise $100k for young dad's cancer treatment

14 Mar, 2019 6:00am
5 minutes to read

Costly drug is Whitinga Harris' best chance of more time with his boys.

Lia Kammerer, of the Kororareka Outrigger Canoe Club midgets, sprints up the beach to the finish line during a previous Bay of Islands Waka Festival. Photo / Peter de Graaf

NORTHERN ADVOCATE

Record numbers at Waitangi waka festival

13 Mar, 2019 2:00pm
8 minutes to read

A round-up of news snippets, events and oddities from the Bay of Islands and the Mid North

The Kaeo Hunters, from Kaeo Primary School, storm to victory in the schools division. Pphoto / Peter de Graaf

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Family fun at Great Whangaroa Kiwi Can Raft Race

13 Mar, 2019 8:30am
Quick Read

Family fun at Great Whangaroa Kiwi Can Raft Race.

Phil Walesby inspects new shoots on a poisoned pohutukawa at Opito Bay. Photo / Peter de Graaf

NEW ZEALAND

Poisoned trees spring back to life after new treatment

13 Mar, 2019 6:00am
3 minutes to read

Opito Bay trees thought to be doomed now sprouting fresh shoots and leaves.

A World War II Catalina flying boat, one of only a handful worldwide still operating, will visit the Far North later this month. Photo / supplied

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WWII flying boat to visit Far North

11 Mar, 2019 1:00pm
3 minutes to read

Rare 1944 Catalina to visit Kaitaia, Kerikeri later this month.

Lisa Harris and Daniel Gonin with one of the poisoned trees, a banksia which is on council land. Photo / Peter de Graaf

NEW ZEALAND

Paihia couple devastated as pampered trees poisoned

11 Mar, 2019 6:00am
3 minutes to read

Couple returned from overseas to find holes drilled in dead and dying trees.

More than a million people crowd Amsterdam's streets and canals once a year for a giant al fresco party honouring the Dutch royal family. Photo / Sebastian Kraft

NORTHERN ADVOCATE

Kerikeri goes double-Dutch: Netherlands' celebration makes Far North debut

9 Mar, 2019 3:00pm
3 minutes to read

Far North's first Koningsdag will feature a kids' market, Dutch food, games and partying

Kerikeri residents will be urged to reclaim their town at a public meeting on Tuesday evening. Photo / Peter de Graaf

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Community group aims to transform Kerikeri township

9 Mar, 2019 2:00pm
3 minutes to read

New group hopes to learn form Paihia's transformation at the hands of keen volunteers.

Sir Peter Blake in Antarctica. Photo / Ivor Wilkin

NEW ZEALAND

Sea Scouts named after Sir Peter Blake

9 Mar, 2019 1:00pm
2 minutes to read

Lady Pippa agrees to request after watching Scouts' video appeal to use husband's name

The head-on smash at the bottom of Moerewa's Turntable Hill last October left six people injured, two of them critically. The alleged offending driver fled on foot. Photo / supplied

NEW ZEALAND

Man charged over horror high-speed crash

7 Mar, 2019 6:00pm
2 minutes to read

Alleged offending driver fled, leaving mother and 4-year-old boy fighting for their lives

Kids from Oruaiti School compete in a previous Whangaroa Kiwi Can Raft Race. Photo / Peter de Graaf

NORTHERN ADVOCATE

Rafts battle for supremacy on Whangaroa Harbour

6 Mar, 2019 2:00pm
10 minutes to read

A round-up of news snippets, events and oddities from the Bay of Islands and the Mid North

The dead kiwi were found on Hansen Rd, on the Purerua Peninsula, in February 2018. Photo / Peter de Graaf

NEW ZEALAND

Kiwi-killing dog dodges DNA test

6 Mar, 2019 8:00am
3 minutes to read

Saliva from more than one dog on dead kiwi allows culprit off the hook.

Kerikeri firefighters extinguish a blaze next to State Highway 10 at Bulls Gorge, one of several fires around Northland yesterday. Photo / Peter de Graaf

NEW ZEALAND

Two treated for smoke inhalation after Hokianga grass fire

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

An electric fence may have sparked a separate fire at Bulls Gorge near Kerikeri

Mānuka plantation trainees at Otiria Marae during Monday's launch of Ngā Māhuri o Ngāti Hine. Photo / Peter de Graaf

NEW ZEALAND

Mānuka planting on tribal land providing jobs, direction

5 Mar, 2019 7:00am
3 minutes to read

After years in jail, trainee says it's the first time all he's ever wanted is to work.

This Saturday's Wild West Fest in Waimamaku will again feature cheese-rolling races down the middle of State Highway 12. Photo / Peter de Graaf

THE COUNTRY

Yeeha! Wild West Fest returns to Waimamaku

20 Feb, 2019 2:00pm
9 minutes to read

A round-up of news snippets, events and oddities from the Bay of Islands and the Mid North

The Tube Room's floor area is small enough that it doesn't need a building consent while the tubular shape means it has more volume than a regular, straight-walled cabin. Photo / Supplied

BUSINESS

Consent-free cabins avoid red tape

18 Feb, 2019 9:00am
2 minutes to read

The Tube Room's curving walls give it 20 per cent more volume than a conventional cabin.

Jessica Quinlan, 13, sets a possum trap while sister Nina, 11, and their horses Zahlis and Boxer look on. Photo / Peter de Graaf

THE COUNTRY

Kāeo sisters in battle for native wildlife

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

'Wild Kiwi Girls', aged 11 and 13, patrol their 90ha pest control area on horseback.

Felix Danilo (16, guitar), Hector Danilo (13, drums) and Nicole Obren (17, vocals) put on a high-energy performance with Friday Night Special. Photo / Peter de Graaf

NORTHERN ADVOCATE | Lifestyle

Big crowd for free Summer Sounds concert in Kerikeri

17 Feb, 2019 11:12am
2 minutes to read

Music, good vibes, blazing sunshine and drug education at free festival.

The Kerikeri RSA on Cobham Rd has been sold, subject to due diligence by the buyer. Photo / file

NORTHERN ADVOCATE

Kerikeri's old soldiers could soon be on the move

15 Feb, 2019 8:30am
2 minutes to read

Shrinking RSA membership grappling with costs of large Cobham Rd building.

Shortland St actor Jayden Daniels, left, and Joe Naufahu from Game of Thrones go parasailing in a new Air NZ video promoting the Bay of Islands.

BUSINESS

Air NZ's new Bay of Islands video clocks up 600,000 views in a week

14 Feb, 2019 7:00am
3 minutes to read

New clip follows on from success of 2016 inflight safety video Summer of Safety.

Ofu Beach. Photo / National Park Service American Samoa

TRAVEL

15 things to do in American Samoa

13 Feb, 2019 3:00pm
7 minutes to read

The other Samoa has a unique charm and pace, writes Peter de Graaf.

Auckland funksters The Hipstamatics will be the headline act at a free concert at Kainui Rd Vineyard this Saturday afternoon. Photo / Stephen Parker

NORTHERN ADVOCATE

Free 'Summer Sounds' concert at Kainui Rd

13 Feb, 2019 2:00pm
9 minutes to read

A round-up of news snippets, events and oddities from the Bay of Islands and the Mid North

Jim Morgan says goodbye to Sandy before his beloved pet was put down as a result of a dog attack last December. Now the 95-year-old has himself been attacked by dogs. Photo / supplied

NEW ZEALAND

Ninety-five-year-old attacked by dogs just weeks after pet killed

13 Feb, 2019 7:00am
3 minutes to read

Jim Morgan, 95, lost his beloved pet six weeks ago. Now it was his turn to be attacked.

Kerikeri Mission Station visitor host Harriet Barker-Reid finds only a few plums are left after the Kemp House orchard was stripped of fruit. Photo / Peter de Graaf

NEW ZEALAND

Raiders strip Stone Store orchard, damage heritage trees

13 Feb, 2019 6:00am
3 minutes to read

The thefts mean no heritage fruit jam souvenirs at the Stone Store this year.

A suspicious fire at Ahipara last Friday forced the evacuation of homes and destroyed a bach and a shed. Photo / Peter Jackson

NEW ZEALAND

Eighty illegal fires lit during restriction period

13 Feb, 2019 5:30am
3 minutes to read

Eighty illegal fires lit since restrictions started, fire boss says

Far North mayoral candidate Peter Gill. Photo / file

NORTHERN ADVOCATE

Race to be next Far North mayor has begun

12 Feb, 2019 10:00am
3 minutes to read

Waipapa's Peter Gill first to show his hand; others 'giving it serious consideration'

Dutch kaihoe (paddlers) taking part in Waitangi Day commemorations, Chris Buijvoets left), Emilio Harris-Mostert and Ella Weehuizen. Photo / Peter de Graaf

NORTHERN ADVOCATE

Dutch paddler's 'incredible experience' at Waitangi

9 Feb, 2019 1:00pm
3 minutes to read

Every year Dutch students travel to Northland to take part in Waitangi Day festivities

A low-fi foam rubber puppet named Bruce is likely to be one of stars of the festival. Photo / Jamie Breen

NORTHERN ADVOCATE

Upsurge arts festival promises 'something for everyone'

9 Feb, 2019 11:00am
3 minutes to read

Events range form a low-fi foam rubber puppet show to a history talk on a tall ship

Five-year-old Connor Petersen-Hodge joins Warrant Officers Joseph Gray (left) and Pete Johnson and Rear Admiral David Proctor in saluting Navy sailors as they march from the parade ground.

NEW ZEALAND

Boy, 5, with toy rifle steals show at navy ceremony

8 Feb, 2019 7:00am
2 minutes to read

Youngster lined up next to Rear Admiral to salute Navy sailors.

28th Māori Battalion veteran Robert ‘‘Bom’’ Gillies, left, and Defence Minister Ron Mark carry mauri stones to be buried at the site of a new museum dedicated to the famed World War II fighting force. Photo / Peter de Graaf

NEW ZEALAND

Māori Battalion veteran gives blessing to new museum

7 Feb, 2019 1:00pm
3 minutes to read

The new museum is due to open at the Waitangi Treaty Grounds in early 2020.

Northland Green Party candidate Godfrey Rudolph leads a hikoi calling for an end to pollution of the Hokianga Harbour. Photo / Peter de Graaf

THE COUNTRY

Waitangi hīkoi focuses on Hokianga Harbour water quality

6 Feb, 2019 5:45pm
2 minutes to read

Waitangi hikoi focuses on Hokianga Harbour water quality

Alison Harmon paints a placard at an environmental workshop in Rawene ahead of today's hīkoi in Waitangi. Photo / supplied

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Hokianga Harbour focus of Waitangi hīkoi

6 Feb, 2019 2:00pm
7 minutes to read

A round-up of news snippets, events and oddities from the Bay of Islands and Mid North.

Jack Poutsma and Di Maxwell have turned Kaikohe's old BNZ bank into a restaurant, boutique hotel and backpackers. Photo / Peter de Graaf

NORTHERN ADVOCATE | Business

Kaikohe bank gets new lease on life

6 Feb, 2019 1:00pm
4 minutes to read

Couple feared the 100-year-old building would fall into ruin if they didn't rescue it.

Is this the most unusual gift Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern has ever been given? Photo / Peter de Graaf

NEW ZEALAND

Is this Jacinda Ardern's most unusual gift?

5 Feb, 2019 6:00pm
2 minutes to read

The PM seemed unsure what to do with six sheep plus watermelons, corn and sacks of spuds.

Ngāti Hine kaumātua Hirini Henare leading Regional Economic Development Minister Shane Jones and master carver Te Warihi Hetaraka on to the construction site.

NORTHLAND AGE

Kawakawa hub Te Hononga under way at last

5 Feb, 2019 1:30pm
3 minutes to read

Te Hononga, a new hub in Kawakawa, will be built by the end of the year.

Joyce-Anne Kapa, 13, and Benji Sula, 8, show their support as the Blues build up an unassailable lead. Photo / Peter de Graaf

NORTHERN ADVOCATE | Sport

Game's success could mean more big events in Kaikohe

5 Feb, 2019 11:00am
3 minutes to read

A sell-out crowd of 4000 turned out for Saturday's Blues v Chiefs clash in Kaikohe

Sir Hekenukumai and Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern exchange smiles during the master waka builder's investiture ceremony. Photo / Peter de Graaf

THE COUNTRY

Arise, Sir Hekenukumai! New knight honoured for reviving waka building, navigation

5 Feb, 2019 8:00am
3 minutes to read

Hekenukumai Puhipi is the first person to be knighted at the Treaty Grounds

NEW ZEALAND

Arise Sir Hekenukumai - master Northland waka maker honoured at Waitangi

4 Feb, 2019 12:17pm
4 minutes to read

Arise Sir Hekenukumai - master Northland waka maker honoured at Waitangi

Wine writers from the USA, UK, Russia and Australia sample the local product at The Landing, in the northern Bay of Islands, during a visit to Northland. Photo / supplied

NORTHERN ADVOCATE

World wine writers put Northland on the map

2 Feb, 2019 3:00pm
3 minutes to read

Writers from the US, UK, Russia and Australia spent two days sampling Northland wines

The waka Mataatua in last year's Waitangi Day commemorations. Photo / Peter de Graaf

NORTHERN ADVOCATE

Paddlers from around world expected for Waitangi Day waka display

2 Feb, 2019 1:00pm
2 minutes to read

About 10 waka are expected to take part in the February 6 display.

Ngāti Hine kaumatua Hirini Henare, right, leads master carver Te Warihi Hetaraka and Regional Economic Development Minister Shane Jones onto the construction site. Photo / Peter de Graaf

NORTHERN ADVOCATE

Work on Kawakawa's community hub starts at last

2 Feb, 2019 10:00am
3 minutes to read

Project will include library, council centre, workshop, gallery, parking and a town square

The fire consumed a small island and threatened to jump a 15m gap to the much bigger Moturua Island, a precious nature sanctuary. Photo / supplied

NEW ZEALAND

Witness describes attempts to douse blaze started with fireworks

31 Jan, 2019 9:00am
3 minutes to read

Fire would have caused ecological disaster had it had jumped gap to Moturua Island.

Kaihoe (paddlers) perform a series of spine-tingling haka on Ti Beach during last year's Waitangi Day commemorations. Photo / Peter de Graaf

NORTHERN ADVOCATE

Big crowds expected at Waitangi

30 Jan, 2019 2:00pm
8 minutes to read

A round-up of news snippets, events and oddities from the Bay of Islands and the Mid North

Stage one of an $18m upgrade of Seeka's Kerikeri packhouse is due to be completed in March, just in time for the kiwifruit season.

THE COUNTRY

First stage of $18m packhouse upgrade nearly done

30 Jan, 2019 12:30pm
2 minutes to read

Investment will more than double packing capacity from 1.6m to 4m trays a season.

Flames engulf a hillside at Rangihoua Heritage Park, in the northern Bay of Islands, after an explosion on the beach. Photo / Vanessa Owen

NEW ZEALAND

Kerikeri man, 25, arrested over explosion on beach

30 Jan, 2019 7:00am
3 minutes to read

Meanwhile 40 firefighters and two choppers still battling massive Horeke blaze.

A Meditation Tours group member takes a selfie with a cut-out of Ilchi Lee. Photo / Peter de Graaf

NEW ZEALAND

Spiritual leader's global HQ plans slowly taking shape in Kerikeri bush

28 Jan, 2019 9:35am
11 minutes to read

Two years ago Kerikeri's rumour mill went into overdrive when a spiritual leader arrived.

More than 6000 people crowded the Reggae by the River venue on the sports fields opposite the Waitangi Treaty Grounds. Photo / Peter de Graaf

NORTHERN ADVOCATE

6000+ crowd at UB40 show ensures festival's return

28 Jan, 2019 7:01am
2 minutes to read

UK legends supported by 1814, Maxi Priest and Marley NZ Allstars in trouble-free festival

The blaze wiped out every last bit of vegetation on the islet. Photo / Rana Rewha

NEW ZEALAND

Fireworks spark 'almost' ecological disaster

24 Jan, 2019 6:00pm
3 minutes to read

Fire couldn't have been stopped if it had jumped small gap to main island, fire bosses say

The Hokianga Harbour's beauty belies its water quality problems. Photo / Merv Ellis

THE COUNTRY

Waitangi protest to focus on Hokianga Harbour pollution

24 Jan, 2019 1:00pm
3 minutes to read

Outdated, over-burdened sewage plants threat to harbour's future, protest organiser says.

UB40 performs during the band's last tour of New Zealand in 2016. Photo / Stephen Parker

NORTHERN ADVOCATE

Bay News: Reggae rules as UB40, Marley Allstars, 1814 play the Bay

23 Jan, 2019 2:00pm
8 minutes to read

A round-up of news, events and oddities from the Bay of Islands and around the Mid North.

Flames engulf the hillside above Rangihoua Bay. Photo / Vanessa Owen

NORTHLAND AGE

Witness hears kiwi screaming as hillside burns

22 Jan, 2019 11:04am
3 minutes to read

Firefighter says Purerua Peninsula blaze caused by "some sort of incendiary device"

Flames shoot into the sky seconds after the explosion at Rangihoua Bay. Photo / Vanessa Owen

NEW ZEALAND

'Kiwis scream' in bush fire at historic site

22 Jan, 2019 6:00am
4 minutes to read

Witness says arsonist mooned her as explosion ignited bush with a large kiwi population.