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Kerikeri woman Liz Sayers wonders how she is supposed to bury five large wool bags filled with rust-infected garden waste. Photo / Peter de Graaf

NEW ZEALAND

Pensioner stuck with infected garden waste after MPI U-turn

20 Jun, 2018 7:00am
4 minutes to read

Pensioner thought she was doing the right thing by removing infected plants.

A museum celebrating the Maori Battalion will be built on the Waitangi Treaty Grounds. Photo / File

NORTHLAND AGE

Waitangi museum to honour the Māori Battalion

19 Jun, 2018 10:30am
3 minutes to read

A new museum will be built on the Waitangi Treaty Grounds for the 28th Māori Battalion.

A museum dedicated to the 28th Māori Battalion will be built on the Waitangi Treaty Grounds, above. PHOTO / Michael Cunningham

NEW ZEALAND

Māori Battalion museum to be built at Waitangi

16 Jun, 2018 6:00am
3 minutes to read

The museum, due to open in 2020, was a condition of NZ First's coalition negotiations.

Northland girl Suzy Cato and Matt Tatton-Brown have been voted off Dancing with the Stars. Photo / Supplied

NORTHERN ADVOCATE

Dancers compete in Battle of the Ballroom

15 Jun, 2018 1:00pm
3 minutes to read

Northland's own version of Dancing with the Stars will take place in Kerikeri on June 23.

Kerikeri-based Team Kiwi Racing (orange sails) takes on the Reach Arounds (green) in the Open Team Racing National Championship, held for the first time in a decade during Queen's Birthday weekend. Photo / Bruce Carter

NORTHERN ADVOCATE

Kerikeri sailors revive teams racing event

13 Jun, 2018 2:00pm
9 minutes to read

A weekly round-up of news and events from the Bay of Islands and the Mid North.

Inspector Chris McLellan (Kerikeri, left), acting prison director Michael Rongo, senior corrections officer Joanne Carey and Senior Constable Mark Taylor (Kawakawa) preparing to hand over the trophy to the victors. Photo / Peter de Graaf

NORTHLAND AGE | Sport

Fun and games at Ngāwhā Prison

12 Jun, 2018 10:30am
2 minutes to read

Inmates of Ngāwhā prison's Kea Unit have claimed the trophy in a game of volleyball.

Inmates of the Kea youth wing perform a rousing haka for their police opponents after Friday's volleyball tournament, won 3-2 by the prisoners. Photo / Peter de Graaf

NORTHERN ADVOCATE

Sport breaks down police-prisoner barriers

11 Jun, 2018 7:30am
2 minutes to read

A series of sporting challenges has shown Northland prisoners the human side of policing.

Opposition leader Simon Bridges addresses a crowd of almost 200 at the Kerikeri RSA on June 7 as part of his

NORTHERN ADVOCATE

Social issues, roads, education dominate Bridges' Kerikeri meeting

9 Jun, 2018 7:00am
5 minutes to read

Close to 200 people turned out to hear National's new leader speak in Kerikeri

Ohaeawai Dairy owner Virgie Murray (third from left) with staff and whanau members Maudie King, Della Simmonds and Ambrossa Backhouse-Smith. Photo / Peter de Graaf

NEW ZEALAND

Burglar takes autograph books

7 Jun, 2018 6:00am
3 minutes to read

Taking $8000 of smokes is bad enough — but who would steal cherished autograph books?

NORTHERN ADVOCATE

Bay News Bites: Russell writer to present car of year supreme award

6 Jun, 2018 2:00pm
5 minutes to read

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

Aire Valley Guesthouse owner Susie McDonald. Photo / Peter de Graaf

TRAVEL

Room check: The Aire Valley Guesthouse

29 May, 2018 2:06pm
2 minutes to read

Peter de Graaf checks into the Aire Valley Guesthouse, in Victoria, Australia.

Lia Kammerer, of the Kororareka Outrigger Canoe Club midgets, sprints to the finish line during last year's Bay of Islands Waka Festival at Waitangi. PHOTO / PETER DE GRAAF

NORTHERN ADVOCATE

Kerikeri ring-road discussion at LTP event

18 Apr, 2018 2:00pm
5 minutes to read

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

Matthew Larsen tries a World War I soldier's uniform for size ahead of this month's performances of Billy Goes to War, a play about a New Zealand family's experience of ''the war to end all wars''.

NORTHLAND AGE

Kerikeri play brings WWI to life 100 years later

16 Apr, 2018 11:00am
3 minutes to read

The play uses excerpts from a Northlander's WWI diary and features a Vietnam War veteran.

Rangatahi from all over the Far North are travelling to Italy this month to represent their culture at a festival expected to draw as many as 300,000 spectators. Photo/ Peter de Graaf

NORTHERN ADVOCATE

Northland youth take Maori culture to Italy

13 Apr, 2018 12:02pm
2 minutes to read

Up to 200,000 people expected at 10-day Italian festival of kites and cultures.

Lance O'Sullivan introduces the kids of Tautoro School to Dr iRopata, a virtual doctor able to diagnose basic ailments. Photo / Peter de Graaf

NORTHERN ADVOCATE

Digital technology bringing healthcare into schools

13 Apr, 2018 12:00pm
3 minutes to read

New scheme uses technology to put kids' healthcare into hands of those who know them best.

Taria Wills of Bay of Islands College performs during last year's Tai Tokerau Secondary Schools Kapa Haka Festival hosted by Bream Bay College. PHOTO / Michael Cunningham

NORTHERN ADVOCATE

Bay News: Kerikeri kapa haka festival kicks off

11 Apr, 2018 2:00pm
8 minutes to read

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

Esther Edmonds (left), Makere Moon and Michelle Rountree, who were fundraising outside The Warehouse for Kaikohe Pentecost Sunday School on Thursday were among the first to find out the store would not be closing after all.

NORTHLAND AGE

Change of heart saves Warehouse in Kaikohe

10 Apr, 2018 11:00am
3 minutes to read

A last minute decision has saved the Kaikohe Warehouse.

Northland oyster farmer Owen Robertson wasn't happy with the justice meted out to an oyster thief so he launched his own prosecution through the Disputes Tribunal. Photo / Peter de Graaf

NEW ZEALAND

Oyster farmer's DIY justice nets almost $2000

9 Apr, 2018 8:49am
3 minutes to read

Police couldn't prove alleged thief had taken all the oysters - so farmer did it himself.

Jesse McInnes, 7, cuts a ribbon to launch the Crimson Coast EV highway around the Far North with, from left, EV advocate Craig Salmon, EECA board member Phil Heatley, Far North Mayor John Carter and Steve West, of ChargeNet NZ. Photo / Peter de Graaf

NORTHERN ADVOCATE

Charging ahead: EV range to be extended in Northland

9 Apr, 2018 7:00am
3 minutes to read

By year end it will be possible to drive to the Cape in even the lowest-range EV

The Warehouse in Kaikohe is staying open after all. Photo / Peter de Graaf

BUSINESS

U-turn by Warehouse, landlord saves 33 jobs

6 Apr, 2018 6:00am
4 minutes to read

News of the closure had sparked fears for employees and Kaikohe locals without transport.

NEW ZEALAND

'Coward's punch' at concert earns 16 months' jail

5 Apr, 2018 7:02pm
3 minutes to read

Assault victim still suffering and unable to work more than a year later.

Moerewa School principal Jason Tane with, from left, Paranihia Brown, 7, Unique Marsters, 12, Phaze Williams-Hati, 12, Hera Williams-Hati, 10, and Keita-Rose Brown, 8. Photo / Peter de Graaf

THE COUNTRY

Moerewa kids get growing to feed community

5 Apr, 2018 1:00pm
2 minutes to read

Locals will be encouraged to help themselves to fresh veges from the community garden.

The dancers of DDF Dance Studio on their way to first place in the mega crew section of the regional champs in Whangarei. Photo / Nina Gastreich Photography

NORTHERN ADVOCATE

Kaeo festival gives kids creative experience

4 Apr, 2018 2:00pm
11 minutes to read

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

Abraham Land, from Whirinaki, with a pair of bullocks pulling a log in the grand parade. Photo / Peter de Graaf

THE COUNTRY

Thousands celebrate Okaihau's 150th

3 Apr, 2018 7:00am
2 minutes to read

The day included a parade, historic demonstrations, a country dance, a bike ride and more.

Jimmy Cliff's guitarist belts out a blistering guitar solo. PHOTO / Peter de Graaf

ENTERTAINMENT

Reggae legend almost misses festival

2 Apr, 2018 5:00am
3 minutes to read

Flight delay had promoter scrambling to get Jimmy Cliff to Northland in time for festival.

Bill and Nora Tuckey's grave after it was shored up but before the monument's foundations were covered up. PHOTO / PETER DE GRAAF

NEW ZEALAND

Memorial to be shifted after grave collapse

1 Apr, 2018 3:25pm
3 minutes to read

Memorial aims to honour Chinese gold miners whose bodies were lost at sea.

Disappointed supporters of tighter alcohol rules, from left, Rhonda Zielinski, Maiki Marks, Alexandra Baker, Jane Johnston, Steven King and Mike Shaw. Photo / Peter de Graaf

NORTHERN ADVOCATE

Council abandons bid to curb alcohol sales

1 Apr, 2018 3:25pm
4 minutes to read

Booze battle has so far cost $180,000 in lawyers' fees alone.

Old Packhouse Market owners Judy and Warwick Hyland, dressed up for St Patrick's Day, with their coffee crew, Lily Martin (left), Jamie Grant, Hannah Bindon and Ava Clapton. Photo / Peter de Graaf

NORTHERN ADVOCATE

Packhouse Market to open Sundays

30 Mar, 2018 9:00am
2 minutes to read

New market to focus on collectibles and family fun, with a car fair and car boot sale

The industrial park will be built on what is now a dairy farm on the northern side of State Highway 12, near the Ngawha Springs turnoff. Photo / Debbie Beadle

NORTHERN ADVOCATE

$5m green light for Ngawha industrial park

29 Mar, 2018 8:00am
3 minutes to read

Kaikohe-based councillor says proposal is a "once in a lifetime opportunity" for the town.

Nebs heads for deeper water. PHOTO / Peter de Graaf

THE COUNTRY

Nebs the green turtle returns to the wild - again

28 Mar, 2018 6:00am
3 minutes to read

More than 200 people watched as the turtle swam to freedom at Rangiputa in the Far North

Alwyn Poole, pictured here at this trust's South Auckland Middle School, wants to set up a Year 9-10 school in Russell. Photo / File

NORTHERN ADVOCATE

New private school planned in Russell

28 Mar, 2018 6:00am
3 minutes to read

If the school goes ahead it will take up to 60 Year 9 and 10 students.

The scenic Purerua Peninsula, in the northern Bay of Islands, is a haven for kiwi and overseas multi-millionaires, but is now also the scene of a spate of kiwi killings

NORTHLAND AGE

DNA used in hunt for dog killing kiwi on Northland peninsula

27 Mar, 2018 8:31am
3 minutes to read

DoC uses DNA to catch kiwi killer in Northland

Partner Mellisa Ngauamo, sisters Latisha Oneroa and Leanna Blade, and mother Robyn Blade after the sentencing of the driver who caused Colin Blade's death.

NEW ZEALAND

Family 'let down' by sentence for double road deaths

27 Mar, 2018 8:21am
3 minutes to read

Home detention for Northland driver who caused crash which claimed two lives.

Ana-Jean Vaioleti, right, and her daughter Jon Vaueli: ''It's been a bit of an adventure actually.'' Photo / Mike Dinsdale

NEW ZEALAND

Dialysis patient's life-saving forest drive after highway swept away

27 Mar, 2018 5:02am
2 minutes to read

Police offered to take her to hospital by four-wheel-drive but she already had a plan.

By yesterday afternoon ten 2.1m-diameter culvert pipes had been laid and backfilling of the hole was under way. Photo / Shirley Jackson-Bradley

NEW ZEALAND

SH1 due to reopen midweek after washout

27 Mar, 2018 5:01am
5 minutes to read

Twice-daily police convoys taking essential traffic through forest until highway reopens

NORTHERN ADVOCATE

'Slap on wrist' after double fatal massive upset for family

24 Mar, 2018 5:00am
4 minutes to read

Driver downed six stubbies before pulling out on SH1 in front of hunting group's ute

Contractors have switched from machinery to dynamite in a bid to remove the loose soil still threatening to come down at Lemon's Hill. PHOTO / PETER DE GRAAF

NORTHLAND AGE

Dynamite solution to clear Lemon's Hill slip

22 Mar, 2018 9:02am
2 minutes to read

Dynamite will be used to clear the Lemon's Hill slip at Opua

Former US President Barack Obama (in the green shirt) spent part of his Northland day yesterday at Kauri Cliffs. Photo / Michael Cunningham

NEW ZEALAND

Obama tees off Northland visit

21 Mar, 2018 4:44pm
3 minutes to read

Golf with John Key, luxury lodge feature in Obama's whirlwind visit to North.

Economic Development Minister Shane Jones, centre, with Far North Holdings chief executive Andy Nock and Deputy Prime Minister Winston Peters at Kerikeri airport. Photo / Peter de Graaf

BUSINESS

Minister's blunt warning to 'irresponsible' Air NZ

20 Mar, 2018 1:22pm
2 minutes to read

Don't even think about closing down more routes, Minister Shane Jones warns.

Economic Development Minister Shane Jones announces the funding boost for Bay of Islands wharves with, from left, Ngati Hine leader Waihoroi Shortland, Northland-based Labour list MP Willow Jean-Prime and Tourism Minister Kelvin Davis

NORTHLAND AGE

Bay of Islands benefits from government spend

20 Mar, 2018 9:33am
3 minutes to read

Bay of Islands transport and tourism infrastructure is the big winner this quarter.

Economic Development Minister Shane Jones announces the funding boost for Paihia wharf with, from left, Labour list MP Willow Jean-Prime and Tourism Minister Kelvin Davis. Photo / Peter de Graaf

NORTHERN ADVOCATE

Airport, wharves the winners in Govt spend-up

16 Mar, 2018 7:00pm
4 minutes to read

$1.75m earmarked for Kerikeri airport and $5m for wharves at Paihia, Russell and Opua.

Artist's impression of the new terminal at Bay of Islands Airport. Image / Supplied

NEW ZEALAND

Govt commits $6.7m to airport, wharves in Bay of Islands

16 Mar, 2018 2:30pm
3 minutes to read

Significantly more money was promised for the Bay of Islands wharves than the airport.

Hunter Kay joined jack russell Rosie in a dog swimming race at the 2016 Opua Community Regatta.

NORTHLAND AGE

Health and safety rules sink long-standing Opua regatta

15 Mar, 2018 11:30am
3 minutes to read

The Opua School fundraising regatta has been sunk by health and safety rules.

Former All Blacks captain Richie McCaw poses for a class photo with the kids of room 6. Photo / Peter de Graaf

THE COUNTRY

McCaw makes kids' day with flying visit

15 Mar, 2018 8:00am
3 minutes to read

Rugby star's visit prompted by letter from 7-year-old who wanted to make friends happy

Hunter Kay of Opua prepares to launch his jack russell, Rosie, during the 2016 Opua Community Regatta dog swimming races. Photo / Peter de Graaf

NEW ZEALAND

Dog swim race sunk by health and safety rules

14 Mar, 2018 7:00am
3 minutes to read

Costly traffic management plan needed to make long-running Opua regatta legal.

Alan and Helen Thompson, pictured in their Kerikeri packhouse, will save significantly in transport costs as a result of a new shipping service.

THE COUNTRY

Fewer trucks and faster delivery for produce on Kiwi Express

13 Mar, 2018 3:30pm
3 minutes to read

A new shipping service for Northland's kiwifruit industry represents a win for everyone.

Taitokerau Tira Haka, Northland's mass haka group, performs in the rain as guests are welcomed to Waitangi for the first official commemorations of the New Zealand Wars. PHOTO / PETER DE GRAAF

NORTHERN ADVOCATE

Mass haka launch first official NZ Wars commemorations

10 Mar, 2018 7:00am
3 minutes to read

Organisers hope the event will lead to a wider understanding of New Zealand history.

This kakariki seen by Deputy Mayor Tania McInnes could be the first to be photographed on the Far North mainland in about 50 years. Photo / Tania McInnes

THE COUNTRY

Elusive kakariki snapped on mainland for first time in 50 years

9 Mar, 2018 10:00am
3 minutes to read

Deputy mayor didn't know what kind of bird was by her window - but she knew it was special

A dog awaits its fate in a council pound.

NORTHLAND AGE

SPCA demands met — except one

8 Mar, 2018 1:30pm
3 minutes to read

Far North council has met all required demands for Kaitaia dog pound - except one.

The victory photo will have to wait - can't you see we're busy reading? Winners, from left, Mason Gray, Finn Kallu, Bailey Miller and Laura Shepherd of Kamo Intermediate team 2. PHOTO / PETER DE GRAAF

NORTHERN ADVOCATE

Kamo kids a success story in reading quiz

8 Mar, 2018 10:00am
3 minutes to read

Winners will represent Northland at the national finals of the Kids' Lit Quiz in July.

A stolen caravan was removed from a Waimate North property where police found a huge haul of contracting machinery taken from Puketona Quarry.

NORTHLAND AGE

Thieves relieved of huge haul

8 Mar, 2018 9:28am
2 minutes to read

Almost all the machinery stolen in a ram raid at a Bay of Islands quarry was recovered.

The truck and digger recovered by police near Kaitaia. The Hitachi digger still missing is similar but orange in colour. Photo / Supplied

NEW ZEALAND

Quarry raiders tried to burn truck

8 Mar, 2018 6:00am
3 minutes to read

Guns seized, one man arrested so far after $250,000 machinery heist.

Warriors perform a mass haka at the 170th anniversary of the battle of Ruapekapeka Pa in 2016. This weekend's NZ Wars commemorations promise a similarly impressive spectacle. PHOTO / PETER DE GRAAF

NORTHERN ADVOCATE

New Zealand Wars: When the North rose up

7 Mar, 2018 1:00pm
13 minutes to read

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

A Waima man has been arrested after allegedly running his partner's car off the road. Photo / File

NEW ZEALAND

Man charged with ramming house, running partner off road

6 Mar, 2018 8:00am
2 minutes to read

A Waima man, 44, faces raft of charges over an alleged domestic violence incident.

A caravan reportedly stolen in a separate incident a week earlier is removed from the Waimate North property. Photo / Peter de Graaf

NEW ZEALAND

Police recover haul of stolen machinery

6 Mar, 2018 6:00am
2 minutes to read

Much of the machinery was taken days earlier in a ram raid at a Bay of Islands quarry.

Trappist beer at Achelse Kluis Monastery brewery. Photo / Supplied

TRAVEL

Bar/fly: A Trappist monastery, Belgium

5 Mar, 2018 11:00am
4 minutes to read

Not a Belgian monk in sight, but their beer is heavenly writes Peter de Graaf.

Artist's impression of the proposed Kawakawa Hundertwasser Park Centre or Te Hononga. Image / Supplied

THE NORTHERN ADVOCATE | Property

Kawakawa's new hub to be built this year

24 Feb, 2018 11:00am
2 minutes to read

$2.3m for a Hundertwasser-inspired visitors' centre, library, council office and gallery.

Farmers Neville and Linda Lewis by the Utakura River, which turned green after a potentially toxic algal bloom upstream in Lake Omapere. Photo / Peter de Graaf

THE COUNTRY

'No swimming' signs to go up as eels die in algal bloom

23 Feb, 2018 8:00am
4 minutes to read

Crossover of council and health board roles may have delayed warning given to water users.

This photo taken from a drone shows the extent of the slip and the amount of loose material NZTA says could still come down. Photo / NZTA

NEW ZEALAND

Kawakawa highway could be closed six weeks

23 Feb, 2018 6:00am
4 minutes to read

SH11 closure compounds a poor summer for Bay of Islands tourism businesses.

It's official: The world record set by the charity Bald Angels in November 2015 when 462 people had their heads shaved in one sitting has finally been recognised. PHOTO / PETER DE GRAAF

NORTHERN ADVOCATE

Guinness World Records fumbled the bald in shaving record

22 Feb, 2018 7:00am
3 minutes to read

Shaving record took 60 minutes to set but 1,180,000 minutes to be recognised

Waimamaku dairy farmer Mike Crouch on his way to a convincing victory in the cheese-rolling final of a previous Wild West Fest. PHOTO / PETER DE GRAAF

THE COUNTRY

Cowboys loose as Wild West returns to Northland

21 Feb, 2018 9:30am
2 minutes to read

The Wild West returns to Waimamaku

The Facebook post claiming that kiwi killed by dogs and cars had been died as a result of 1080 poisoning has since been removed. Photo / Facebook

NEW ZEALAND

Anti-1080 page misleads over dead kiwi

20 Feb, 2018 10:21am
2 minutes to read

A widely shared Facebook photo claims to be of kiwi killed by 1080 - but that's not true.