Sarah Curtis is a Multimedia Journalist for The Northern Advocate.
Sarah Curtis is a Multimedia Journalist with the Northern Advocate, based in Whangārei, where she focuses on a range of issues. She has been a journalist for about 20 years and is passionate about covering stories that make a difference to everyday people - helping to give them a voice, highlight inequities and hold authorities to account. Much of Sarah's career has been in covering the courts - mainly in Gisborne and on the East Coast. She is especially passionate about Environmental issues. Sarah is qualified with a Certificate in Journalism, from Aoraki Polytechnic in Timaru, and also has a degree in Fine Arts from the Dunedin School of Art and a post-graduate diploma in secondary teaching from Waikato University. In her spare time, Sarah likes to spend time exploring New Zealand's natural spaces, particularly Northland’s beaches. She is also a keen photographer. You can contact Sarah at Sarah.Curtis@nzme.co.nz.
How one man's passion for tradition and giant kūmara is empowering Northland youth
Malcolm Wano and Kiahara Takareki Trust in Moerewa want to inspire young people.
Vehicle dwellers spark tension at beachside community
Residents claim vehicle dwellers make the Onerahi foreshore unsafe.
'Unsettling time': Police seek info in Northland homicide case
Police have launched a homicide inquiry and are calling on the public for information.
Bird experts at oddsd over native parapara trees
Robert Webb advises removing parapara trees; Ian McLean suggests trimming flowers instead.
Smooth recovery: Emergency services stood down after Whangārei plane crash
The light plane took a nose dive on landing, but the pilot was not seriously hurt.
Court orders removal of unauthorised structures in Bay of Islands
A company ignored requests to remove a pontoon and rubber fenders.
Northland suffers flooding, slips and downed trees with more wet weather to come
A slip closed SH1's Mangamuka Gorge, recently reopened after two years.
'You've got rat bite fever': Northland woman's warning to trappers
She touched a live rat briefly, leading to severe infection and sepsis.
Missing in Northland: 10 people still out there somewhere
Only two of the 10 missing Northlanders are on the police's public list.
Young Northlanders turning out in droves for Anzac Day ceremonies
Round up of today's Anzac Day celebrations around Northland
Subdivision deal clears path for new homes, despite quarry concerns
Houses cut from a Hikurangi subdivision plan in a settlement with a concrete company.
Dazed petrel found under fire appliance at Whangārei Station
Sea birds became disorientated by the storm, landing exhausted in urban areas.
Libelle’s school lunch woes predate government changes, ex-worker claims
Far North school lunch worker believes food provider Libelle was mismanaged from start.
Blueberry growers thrive with bumper crop
Packhouse director Patrick Malley points to exciting future for Northland horticulture.
Tsunami siren removed due to lack of community consultation
Northland's new tsunami siren system will be tested at 10am tomorrow.
One dead after car vs truck collision at Haruru
Driver dies at scene of fatal crash at Haruru, near Paihia
Firefighters tackling large vegetation fire near Mangakahia
More than 20 firefighters are onsite at a large vegetation fire at Nukutawhiti
Homecoming match: Trailblazing ref set for milestone game
International rugby referee Natarsha Ganley will finally be on home turf in Whangārei.
‘Tough to prosecute’: Community reels as boat thefts escalate
The owners found their stolen boats hidden in mangroves up the Waitangi River.
'Loved by all' Remembering beloved showman Eddie Hemara
Northland's beloved popular music showman Eddie Hemara died at the weekend.
85yo farmer accused of causing animals suffering
A Northland man has been charged with a number of animal welfare offences.
Hundreds of fish beached at Ninety Mile Beach due to predator chase
Experts advise caution, saying beached fish may be unsafe to eat.
Retirees claim Northland dream property fouled by neighbour’s sewage
Couple believes native trees on their lifestyle block have succumbed to sewage.
Northlanders make finals in Young Māori Farmer Award
Two Northland men are among leading three in this year's Young Māori Farmer Award
Judge reserves decision on Whangārei’s last-ditch effort to stall fluoridation
The High Court has heard Whangārei District Council's application for an injunction.
‘Sky’s the limit’ for overseas kingfish market as demand far outweighs supply
Less than a year open, Northland's kingfish farm is already getting national recognition.
‘What an adventure’: Woman sets sailing world record around Northland
Fiona Heenan has set a world record for the longest distance sailed by a woman in a dinghy
Total fire ban for all of Northland as 11ha blaze in scrub contained
Far North fire crews have managed to contain a large blaze in vegetation at Mangakahia.
‘Making a difference’: Sailor’s 600km Guinness record bid for charity
A woman is in Northland as part of her attempt to set a world sailing record.
Students claim man tried to get them into his vehicle
Police and school staff are warning students not to accept rides from stranger
How a rates breakthrough will help other Māori landowners
Robyn Martin-Kemp will discuss the case at Waitangi, highlighting rates protections.
Planned floating restaurant will be a walk down memory lane for many
Old Northland ferry gets glamorous makeover for new gig as a floating restaurant.
Court again rejects ministry's management plan for Northland's cray fishery
The judge found the revised proposal did not address an urgent marine crisis.
Homeless family camps at Whangārei beach for more than a month, draws complaints
The family camped at Parua Bay Yacht Club for over a month.
‘It’s real bad’: Northland’s shocking rate of vehicle testing failures
More than a quarter of the country's vehicles fail their fitness checks on testing
Missing boat still a big hazard, owner considers court action
A ketch left to drift on police instructions during a rescue last year remains missing.
Final curtain call for much-loved theatre stalwart killed in Kaipara crash
Michael Craig Collins (Mike) died in a single-vehicle crash at Kaipara this month.
Teenager named as victim of shooting at Whangārei layby
Police have released the name of a teenager fatally shot at a layby area in Ōtaika.
Stockman tramples council's claims mustering wild cattle is too dangerous and difficult
A man claims he offered a year ago to deal with wild cattle problem on Whangārei Heads.
Campground visitor fee dispute sparks tension for holidaying family
A woman was charged a $20 visitor fee for an hour stay at Tauranga Bay Holiday Park.
Mooring piracy rampant during windy summer – Harbourmaster
Mooring piracy has been an issue for boaties in Northland this summer.
Northland farmers see golden tourism opportunity
The Northland farming couple turning fields into gold
Police make Whangārei robberies arrest after spotting suspect vehicle
Police have arrested a 16-year-old on suspicion of involvement in two robberies.
Kiwi dies of dehydration amid Northland’s dry conditions, rain offers relief
Ranger Bevan Morgan found the kiwi unconscious on January 11.
What does a hot, dry summer mean for kiwi?
Northland's had a hot, dry summer - what does that mean for kiwi?
'Pathetic' sewerage system poorly designed from the start: Drainlayer
Coastal residents despair as sewage continues to spill into picturesque bay.
What's with all the kiwi in central Whangārei?
Why are kiwi being spotted in Whangārei's central business district?
Russell Forest less 61 feral deer during joint conservation initiative
Efforts to eradicate feral deer from Northland are going well, authorities say
'Emotional train wreck': Skipper's ordeal after ketch left to drift
Yachtie says his $250,000 ketch is adrift off Northland after rescuers failed to secure it
Man who fleeced gardening group's tools before Christmas owns up
A Northland thief has owned up to stealing all a visiting gardening group's tools
Cattle a 'wicked' hazard: Motorist 'mind-boggled' no one held to account
Motorists fear for their lives as Whangārei's wild cattle still pose huge traffic hazard
The crucial role of goat culling in saving Northland’s kauri forests
Contract hunters remove 3000-4000 goats to protect Northland's kauri forests.
Thieves fleece visiting charity food growing group twice in 10 days
Thieves have hampered the efforts of a charity food growing initiative visiting Northland
Urupukapuka Island - a paradise for nature lovers and history buffs
There's so much for locals and visitors to see and do on Urupukapuka Island
Northlanders shouldn’t miss out this must-do attraction in their own backyard
Northlanders neglect biggest purpose-built visitor attraction north of Auckland
Store owners "pretty happy" with Boxing Day sales
Plenty of shoppers around for Boxing Day sales but few loaded up with bargains
Will Boxing Day sales be boom or bust? Whangārei retail expert says 'wait and see'
Boxing day sales expected to create even more mayhem than Black Friday
Northland weather: What to expect this Christmas
What does the weather have in store for Northlanders this festive season?
Road tragedy at Horeke
One person died at the scene of a vehicle crash at Horeke, on Saturday morning.
Police investigate van robbery on SH10 near Kerikeri
A man was left at the roadside after robbers took his van near Kerikeri overnight
Loveable Lab a formidable force within Northland’s police - and now a calendar girl
Ripper sniffs out hidden items, wins a spot in the 2025 police calendar.
Rāhui in place after man found dead on Far North beach
Hapū have imposed a rahui near Mitimiti Beach after a man's body was found there
'Weren't even in the country!': Couple overseas woken by NZ police alleging bad driving
Overseas at the time, they've praised keen NZ police work and the power of social media.
Harbourmaster warns boaties must have wreck-removal insurance
Regional council wants divers from wrecked boat to pay for its clean up.
Armed police close major route through Whangārei
Armed police have closed major road through Whangārei as an incident unfolds
Pest infestation at Onerahi could spread to offshore island
Northland's Regional Council cracks down on aggressive, soil-poisoning weed
'Excessive': Supermarket parking policy changes spark outrage
Whangārei's Pak'nSave supermarket comes under fire for enforcing its parking rules.
Stoat-busting duo find no sign of rogue visitor on predator-free island
A stoat that swam to Matakohe-Limestone Island is believed to have gone again.
Young couple left with 44c to pay mortgage after bank card fraud
A young mum is warning anyone who finds a bank card to be careful how they advertise it.
Apology 'not accepted': Conservationists cause outrage by killing pet cat
The difficulties of predator control in conservation areas near housing.
Whangārei Heads residents sick of slow pace want quick change
Should local speed limits be relaxed during school holidays?
Rescued whales still safe at sea today: Public praised for their help
Thousands of people thronged to Ruakākā Beach to help a pod of stranded whales.
Neighbours to the rescue after Whangārei property starts billowing smoke
Neighbours sprung into action safeguarding two teens during a house fire yesterday
One person treated for smoke inhalation after house fire in Raumanga
A person was treated for smoke inhalation after a house fire in Raumunga this afternoon
Dog in car taken from shop injured but reunited with owner
A dog is safely back with her owner after thief steals car.
'Chronically underfunded': DoC asks public to pay to save critically endangered species
DoC has enlisted the help of a fundraising organisation to back some critical projects.
Why a Whangārei rural postie stayed 30 years in the job despite hugely increased workload
Northland postie has delivered her final package after 40 years
Northlanders really need to talk more openly about suicide prevention worker says
Some believe more open discussion about suicide is a vital tool.
'We’re just all really, really broken': Family despair at loss of teen’s memorial sign
A whānau are heartbroken at the loss of a roadside memorial sign.
'He’s a little character': Pūkeko's 29km journey back home
When it comes to finding their way around, pukeko rival homing pigeons