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The two carved pou, which marked either end of a 1.6km long conservation era, were felled using a chainsaw then cut up into pieces. Photo / Tui Te Paa

NEW ZEALAND

Attack on pou 'an attack on us and our culture'

19 Jul, 2019 6:00am
2 minutes to read

The two carved pou marked boundaries of a conservation area at Tauroa Pt, near Ahipara.

Minni Gordon of Haruru with Joey and other surviving chickens after a series of dog attacks. Photo / Peter de Graaf

NEW ZEALAND

Murder most fowl: Two dozen chickens killed in attack

19 Jul, 2019 5:00am
3 minutes to read

Attacks started in January; so far at least 24 chooks have been killed by wandering dogs.

Congestion at Kerikeri's single bus stop forces traffic on to the wrong side of Cobham Rd and puts passengers and road users in danger, bus drivers say. Photo / Peter de Graaf

NORTHERN ADVOCATE

Council backs down over bus stop move to Kerikeri airport

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

Congested coach stop will instead be relocated outside Kerikeri library for trial period.

Crashes on Kawakawa's Three Bridges - like this fatal in May 2012 - are often serious, the town's fire chief says. Photo / Michael Cunningham

NEW ZEALAND

North highways in line for lower speed limits

17 Jul, 2019 5:00am
5 minutes to read

Limit to be cut from 100km/h to 80 on high-risk stretches of highway if plan goes ahead.

From Tapotupotu campsite Te Paki Coastal Track descends to Sandy Bay before climbing a ridge to Cape Reinga. Photo / Peter de Graaf

NORTHERN ADVOCATE

Northland misses out on Great Walk - but work on Te Paki to continue

16 Jul, 2019 12:30pm
3 minutes to read

Te Paki Coastal Track was one of three candidates for NZ's newest Great Walk.

Kaitaia Hospital staff have taken over the town's overnight on-call roster in a move expected to ease pressure on stressed GPs. Photo / Peter Jackson

NORTHERN ADVOCATE

Health board takes over Kaitaia after-hours care as GP shortage bites

16 Jul, 2019 5:00am
4 minutes to read

Demands of on-call overnight roster have long been a source of stress for Kaitaia GPs.

Russell Fire Brigade's Braden Davies soars from the end of the wharf in a pedal-powered flying machine. Photo / Peter de Graaf

NORTHERN ADVOCATE

Photos: Russell Birdman 2019

15 Jul, 2019 11:30am
Quick Read

Thousands watched Birdmen leap, fly or just plummet from Russell wharf on Saturday.

Coastguard Hokianga's rescue boat in action. Photo / File

NORTHERN ADVOCATE

Hokianga bar always dangerous, Coastguard skipper says

15 Jul, 2019 11:00am
2 minutes to read

Victim, 69, was out boating with brother and nephew when tragedy struck.

NORTHERN ADVOCATE

Birdman's future assured after success of pared-back festival

15 Jul, 2019 10:30am
3 minutes to read

Six weeks ago the popular mid-winter festival was on the brink of falling over.

Enjoying their last drinks, from left, Kahu Kauwhata, former bar manager Margaret McMullien, Jerry Kauwhata and committee member Phil Bell. Photo / Peter de Graaf

PREMIUM

Last drinks at the Kaikohe RSA

13 Jul, 2019 7:00pm
8 minutes to read

June 30 was the last night at the Kaikohe RSA. Regulars talk about what they'll miss most.

Regional Economic Development Minister Shane Jones, his wife Dot Jones and Te Uru Rākau's Harry Kent are ferried across Takou River on the local barge. Photo / Peter de Graaf

NEW ZEALAND

'Nora's Ark' to protect kauri from dieback threat

12 Jul, 2019 6:00pm
4 minutes to read

More than 75,000 kauri to be planted on dieback-free Māori land beside sacred Takou River.

Paihia's Laura Stevenson takes flight from Russell wharf in a costume inspired by the kākāriki, a colourful native parakeet, in the 2017 Birdman festival. Photo / Peter de Graaf

NORTHERN ADVOCATE

Russell's Birdman antics return

12 Jul, 2019 1:30pm
3 minutes to read

Northland's biggest, most colourful mid-winter festival returns this weekend.

Nine-year-old Skye Stevenson with her pet Pixie and her massively upgraded pony poo stand. Photo / Peter de Graaf

NORTHERN ADVOCATE

Pony poo seller, 9, back in business after trashed stand rebuilt

12 Jul, 2019 8:00am
2 minutes to read

Story about vandals wrecking 9-year-old's pony poo stand sparks huge community response.

Police, Hokianga Coastguard, St John Ambulance and private vessels were involved in the search for the deceased man. Photo / File

NORTHERN ADVOCATE

Tragedy as boat capsizes at Hokianga bar

12 Jul, 2019 6:30am
2 minutes to read

Two other men plucked from water by private vessel after their boat flipped about 12.15pm.

Trampers cross Waipapa River in Puketi Forest, where seven tracks have been closed to prevent the spread of kauri dieback. Photo / Cherry Beaver

NORTHERN ADVOCATE

Ten tracks closed in bid to stop spread of kauri dieback

11 Jul, 2019 7:00am
3 minutes to read

Eight of the 10 closed tracks are in Puketi and Omahuta forests west of Bay of Islands.

Thirty volunteers collected an estimated 4 cubic metres of rubbish, much of it recyclable, from the roadside between Te Haumi and Opua. Photo / Peter de Graaf

THE COUNTRY

Rubbish shock sparks calls for container deposit scheme

10 Jul, 2019 7:00am
3 minutes to read

Estimated 80% of the 4cu m of rubbish found in SH11 clean-up could been recycled.

Deanna Trevarthen in 2016, five months before her death from an aggressive asbestos-related cancer. Photo / Jason Oxenham

NORTHERN ADVOCATE

Northland woman wins ACC battle - three years after death from rare cancer

9 Jul, 2019 5:00pm
2 minutes to read

Deanna Trevarthen, formerly of Kerikeri, died of asbestos-related cancer at the age of 45.

Kerikeri's Marie Aaron takes 6-year-old Kiara Brownlee, from Moerewa, for a ride on Coco the unicorn. Photo / Peter de Graaf

NORTHERN ADVOCATE

Photos: Knights, unicorns invade Waimate North

9 Jul, 2019 10:30am
Quick Read

Event proceeds will help Bay of Islands Animal Rescue pay for desexing of dogs.

Rubbish has been piling up along Northland highways since clean-ups were halted due to safety concerns. Photo / Peter de Graaf

NORTHERN ADVOCATE

Highway rubbish clean-ups to resume: NZTA

9 Jul, 2019 6:00am
2 minutes to read

Clean-ups were halted following the deaths of three Bay of Plenty road workers in February

Tiffany Holland is angered and disheartened by ongoing dumping in Waitangi Mountain Bike Park. Photo / Peter de Graaf

NORTHERN ADVOCATE

Outrage as truckload of trash dumped on mountain bike park

9 Jul, 2019 6:00am
3 minutes to read

Upset locals hope letters, dockets in scenic lookout rubbish will lead to the offender.

Hall Rd residents David Clendon and Beth Clarke, pictured with Bronte, Mac and Darcy Clarke, want the road upgraded before work starts on a new retirement village. Photo / File

NORTHERN ADVOCATE

Aged-care firm stumps up for road upgrade in Kerikeri

8 Jul, 2019 5:00am
4 minutes to read

Arvida Group plans a 200-dwelling retirement village at the end of Hall Rd, Kerikeri.

Artist's impression of part of the proposed Mangonui waterfront development. Image / FNDC

NORTHERN ADVOCATE

Public views sought on new plan for Mangonui waterfront

6 Jul, 2019 10:00am
3 minutes to read

Harbourside redevelopment dogged by years of controversy over design and safety barriers.

Far North bylaws coming up for renewal include Keeping of Animals, Poultry and Bees, which also sets out the district's cat rules. Photo / John Stone

NORTHERN ADVOCATE

Far North District Council plan to revive lapsed bylaws

6 Jul, 2019 8:00am
2 minutes to read

Dogged inquiries by a lobby group revealed that seven FNDC bylaws had lapsed.

A PGF-funded upgrade of Russell wharf is nearing completion with the final section of the new deck added earlier this week. Photo / Stephen Western

NORTHERN ADVOCATE

Russell wharf handover approved - now it's up to voters

5 Jul, 2019 5:30am
3 minutes to read

Russell residents will vote on a new trust to oversee management of the vital wharf.

Russell's Michael Beckett is horrified by the amount of rubbish strewn along Northland's state highways - including here on SH10 near Kerikeri - and says the problem is getting worse. Photo / Peter de Graaf

NEW ZEALAND

Northland's roadside rubbish 'a disgrace'

5 Jul, 2019 5:00am
4 minutes to read

Trash mounts as health and safety rules force cutback in highway clean-ups.

Aerial view of the Bay of Islands with Urupukapuka Island and, in the distance, Cape Brett. Photo / Martin Barraud, Getty Images

NORTHERN ADVOCATE

Lonely Planet ranks Northland in top three Asia-Pacific destinations for 2019

2 Jul, 2019 4:51pm
3 minutes to read

Bay of Islands beaten only by Australia's Margaret River and Japan's Shikoku Island.

Congestion at Kerikeri's Intercity bus stop forces traffic on to the wrong side of Cobham Rd and puts passengers and road users in danger, critics say. Photo / Peter de Graaf

NORTHERN ADVOCATE

Bus stop to shift to airport to prevent traffic chaos

2 Jul, 2019 1:00pm
5 minutes to read

Bus stop an "accident waiting to happen" but critics say airport alternative too far away.

Lakes 380 co-leader Dr Susie Wood collecting a water sample from Lake Te Wai Raupo, near Te Paki. Photo / Supplied

NORTHLAND AGE

Health checks for very special lakes

2 Jul, 2019 10:22am
2 minutes to read

Scientific sampling of some of our most remote lakes, north of Kaitaia, has begun.

Cathy Jones (left, with neighbour Jackie Sanders), was devastated when half her flock of sheep were killed by roaming dogs, the third attack since Christmas.

NORTHLAND AGE

One councillor is far from 'comfortable' with animal management

2 Jul, 2019 10:12am
3 minutes to read

Cathy Jones was devastated when half her flock of sheep were killed by roaming dogs.

A crew from Auckland-based Boat Haulage prepare the 109-year-old steam ferry Minerva for the road. Photo / Peter de Graaf

THE COUNTRY

Steam ferry hits the road to new home

2 Jul, 2019 10:00am
2 minutes to read

Project's next phase involves installing steam engines and a custom-made boiler.

Enjoying their last night at the Kaikohe RSA, from left, Kahu Kauwhata, former bar manager Margaret McMullien, committee member Phil Bell, Jerry Kauwhata and bar manager Erana Moffat. Photo / Peter &#

NORTHERN ADVOCATE

Haere rā as last pints downed at Kaikohe RSA

2 Jul, 2019 6:00am
3 minutes to read

Members plan to meet again, possibly in smaller premises elsewhere in Kaikohe.

Mahitahi Hauora chief executive Phillip Balmer speaks about the new organisation's goals. Photo / Peter de Graaf

NORTHERN ADVOCATE

More equity for Māori promised in 'ground-breaking' shake-up of Northland health services

29 Jun, 2019 8:00am
3 minutes to read

Merger creates one entity to coordinate almost all primary health services in Northland.

Whitinga Harris, from Ōtaua, Kaikohe, has died after a battle with stage four colon cancer. He is seen here with his sons Waaka, 9, and Heremia Grace-Harris, 12. Photo / Peter de Graaf

NORTHERN ADVOCATE

Whitinga's cancer battle is over

28 Jun, 2019 6:01pm
3 minutes to read

Whitinga Harris' family had raised almost $100,000 needed for life-extending treatment.

Northlanders are being urged to report any ferret sightings after the predators were spotted at Waipapa and Puketotara in the Bay of Islands. Photo / Supplied

THE COUNTRY

Public urged to report ferret sightings in Northland

28 Jun, 2019 12:00pm
3 minutes to read

These 'stoats on steroids', seen recently in the Bay of Islands, can kill even adult kiwi.

Hector Danilo keeps the beat for Stranger Paradise, made up of students from Kerikeri High and Springbank schools. Photo / Peter de Graaf

NORTHERN ADVOCATE

Photos: Be Free community concert

26 Jun, 2019 11:30am
Quick Read

Kerikeri treated to line-up of young talent at June 22 Be Free Midwinter Community Concert

Russell's iconic Moreton Bay fig tree - the subject of innumerable tourist photos - is thought to be dying due to vehicles compacting soil around its roots. Photo / FNDC

NORTHERN ADVOCATE

Dying tree forces Russell road closure

26 Jun, 2019 10:00am
3 minutes to read

Giant Moreton Bay fig is Russell's most iconic tree - but cars might be killing it.

A rat plague sweeping Northland is likely to be followed later this winter by a plague of stoats, highly efficient killers of young kiwi and other native birds. Photo / supplied

THE COUNTRY

Now it's a rat plague - stoats will be next

26 Jun, 2019 8:00am
2 minutes to read

As the rats die off stoats will start hunting kiwi chicks - only 5 per cent will survive.

Getting ready to release a flying lantern, from left, Tessa Bogaers, 12, Ava De Rosa, 12, Billy Bogaers and Freya Holland, 12. Photo / Peter de Graaf

NORTHERN ADVOCATE

Photos: Oromahoe School celebrates Matariki

25 Jun, 2019 10:30am
Quick Read

The mid-winter Light Festival, In its 11th year, is a fundraiser for the rural school.

This sign at the newly opened Bay of Islands Airport terminal has been amusing speakers of te reo. Photo / supplied

NEW ZEALAND

Māori-language pundit defends ballsy Kerikeri airport sign

25 Jun, 2019 8:00am
2 minutes to read

Airport operator says sign will be changed but te reo expert calls it "fantastic".

Veteran entertainer Ray Woolf croons to Kerikeri Retirement Village residents Isabella Trail, 87, left, and Claire Champtaloup, 80. Photo / Peter de Graaf

NORTHERN ADVOCATE

Northland's Ray Woolf celebrates 60 years of entertainment

24 Jun, 2019 12:00pm
2 minutes to read

Veteran entertainer's advice: ''Never to be afraid to go through a new door.''

People around the country are reporting rats the size of small possums, like this one caught in Wellington's Aro Valley. Photo / Forest and Bird

NEW ZEALAND

Rat 'tsunami' invading homes, threatening wildlife

24 Jun, 2019 6:00am
5 minutes to read

Pest control firms rushed off feet with double the usual number of rodent-related calls.

Treaty Grounds curatorial manager Caitlin Timmer-Arends checks progress on the Māori Battalion Museum under construction at Waitangi. Photo / Peter de Graaf

NORTHERN ADVOCATE

Māori Battalion Museum on track for opening

22 Jun, 2019 10:00am
4 minutes to read

New museum aims to highlight Māori commitment to New Zealand in times of war.

The Far North District Council set up this temporary dog pound on private land at Horeke while it made plans for a permanent facility at Ngāwhā - but those plans are now in disarray. Photo / file

NORTHERN ADVOCATE

Dog's breakfast: Pound plans halted by budget blowout

21 Jun, 2019 7:00am
4 minutes to read

Plans for new Far North dog shelters at Ngāwhā and Kaitaia are now on hold.

The new Bay of Islands Airport terminal was due to be officially opened today. Photo / Louise Hansen

TRAVEL

$4.75m airport terminal to open in Kerikeri

21 Jun, 2019 7:00am
2 minutes to read

New terminal able to handle twice or even three times the current 110,000 passengers.

The attacks took place as children were walking to school on Otiria Rd, Moerewa, on June 6. Photo / Peter de Graaf

NORTHERN ADVOCATE

Council to prosecute over Moerewa dog attacks

20 Jun, 2019 2:00pm
2 minutes to read

Two children attacked on June 6 while walking to school, one needed hospital treatment.

The Tradescantia Terminators, from left, Jeany Kim, 16, Emilia Finer, 14, Faith Hohepa, 16, Charlie Potter, 16, and Charlotte Gamble, 17. Absent: Emilie Jones, 15. Photo / Peter de Graaf

THE COUNTRY

'It felt like all our hard work paid off': Students' world triumph

20 Jun, 2019 11:00am
3 minutes to read

Tradescantia Terminators cleverly used biocontrol beetle to battle invasive weed.

Outa my way! The 9-year-old girls get off to a flying start. Photo / Peter de Graaf

NORTHERN ADVOCATE

Photos: Kids' cross-country run at Takou Bay

20 Jun, 2019 10:30am
Quick Read

More than 170 kids aged 8-12 competed in the Kerikeri and districts cross-country run.

Members of the 28th Māori Battalion march up Nias Track to the Waitangi Treaty Grounds in 1940. Photo / PF Nash, NZ Herald Glass Plate Collection

NORTHERN ADVOCATE

'Show and tell' for Māori Battalion descendants

18 Jun, 2019 2:00pm
2 minutes to read

Hui part of preparations for a new museum at Waitangi and a book about A Company.

Effortlessly cycling up the hill from Lake Ruhondo to the nearby Lake Burera. Photo / Peter de Graaf

TRAVEL

Cycling through Rwanda: The old man and the lake

18 Jun, 2019 1:13pm
8 minutes to read

Peter de Graaf cycles through Rwanda.

A helicopter takes off with a load of baits ahead of a 1080 drop over Russell Forest in September 2018. Photo / John Stone

THE COUNTRY

Drinking stream water after Northland 1080 drop sparks council complaint

18 Jun, 2019 6:00am
4 minutes to read

Complaints partly upheld but councillor slams investigation as biased and lacking context.

Acting sergeant Rob Eke and Constable Tal Easton still in their togs after nabbing a wanted man during a mid-winter swim in Paihia. Photo / Peter de Graaf

NEW ZEALAND

Cops in togs nab wanted man during mid-winter swim

18 Jun, 2019 5:11am
3 minutes to read

Bail-breacher spotted by cops taking part in a mid-winter swimming race.

Waipapa woman Cathy Jones, left, and neighbour Jackie Sanders, with the remains of her sheep on the fire in the background. Photo / Peter de Graaf

THE COUNTRY

Proof needed before dogs can be destroyed: FNDC

17 Jun, 2019 8:00am
2 minutes to read

Owner devastated after seven sheep killed in third dog attack at Waipapa since Christmas.

Shipwright and project manager John Clode inside the Minerva’s kauri hull. Photo / Peter de Graaf

THE COUNTRY

All steamed up: Steam era set to return to Northland waters

16 Jun, 2019 8:30am
4 minutes to read

Steam-lover's dream trip will combine steam train and steam boat from Kawakawa to Waitangi

The cast of Ladies Night, back row from left, Graham (played by Craig Pinkney), Norman (Adam Parmenter), strip club owner Bernie (Marco van den Broek) and Gavin (Willi Henley); front, Wes (Sjoerd Vink), Barry (Grant Williams) and Craig (Tom Evans). Photo / Peter de Graaf

NORTHERN ADVOCATE

Play's raunchy journey mirrored in real life

15 Jun, 2019 10:00am
2 minutes to read

Seven men acting as male strippers are grappling with same insecurities as the characters.

Kaeo man Adriaan Bosch says the blood donors who have helped him live a full life are

PREMIUM

'Hero' blood donors help Kaeo man give back to community

13 Jun, 2019 3:28pm
5 minutes to read

Blood donations have allowed Kaeo man Adriaan Bosch to give back to community for 30 years

Waipapa woman Cathy Jones, left, with neighbour Jackie Sanders, is devastated after her sheep were killed by roaming dogs - the third such attack since Christmas.

NEW ZEALAND

Family devastated after sheep attacked three times by roaming dogs

12 Jun, 2019 7:00pm
4 minutes to read

Just seven of family's 23 sheep survive - but for how much longer?

Police return to Matauri Bay after searching 20km of shoreline and the Cavalli Islands. Photo / Peter de Graaf

NEW ZEALAND

Hopes fade for woman missing off Matauri Bay

12 Jun, 2019 6:30pm
3 minutes to read

Incident prompts reminder to wear a lifejacket, bring a phone, and don't drink and fish.

Far North District councillor Dave Hookway. Photo / Supplied

NORTHERN ADVOCATE

Outspoken Far North councillor disputes 'biased' attendance report

12 Jun, 2019 1:00pm
3 minutes to read

Dave Hookway says report could stop other full-time workers standing in council elections.

Eleven-year-old Aela Breeze and mum Orla Breeze plant a native sedge called Carex secta along the stream bank. Photo / Peter de Graaf

THE COUNTRY

Photos: Many hands make light work at Kerikeri planting day

12 Jun, 2019 11:30am
2 minutes to read

Sunday's effort brings number of trees and shrubs planted along Wairoa Stream to 14,000.

Lena Walker, 107, of Haruru Falls, celebrates with children from the Paihia Early Childhood Centre. Photo / Peter de Graaf

LIFESTYLE

Hugs all round as Queen of the North turns 107

12 Jun, 2019 7:00am
3 minutes to read

Lena Walker, of Haruru Falls, still remembers soldiers coming home from World War I.

The attacks took place on Otiria Rd, where many children walk to Moerewa Primary School and temporary premises used by Te Kura Kaupapa Māori o Taumarere. Photo / Peter de Graaf

NEW ZEALAND

Hero rescuers prise dog's jaws apart to free girl, grandmother says

12 Jun, 2019 5:08am
4 minutes to read

Girl, 11, still recovering at home after being mauled on Otiria Rd, Moerewa.

Te Pu o Te Wheke trustees, from left, Annais Allen, Sasha Wilson, John Hayward, Sabine Weber-Beard (front) and Bebe Bourke with a giant octopus (wheke). Photo / Peter de Graaf

NORTHERN ADVOCATE

Photos: Te Pu o Te Wheke gallery opens in Kaikohe

10 Jun, 2019 7:00pm
Quick Read

Community gallery aims to give local artists an outlet and a place to showcase their work