New Zealand's Latest Breaking News, Business, Sport, Weather, Entertainment, Politics

Latest FromSusan Botting

Blair Kapa-Peters (right) at Waitangi sharing a hongi with Lamarr Oksasikewiyin, a teacher from Chief Little Pine School on a Cree reservation in Canada during Waitangi Day celebrations in 2018.

NORTHERN ADVOCATE

Northland UNESCO advocate says lower the voting age

18 Feb, 2020 11:00am
4 minutes to read

Lowering the voting age would increase participation, Youth Leader says.

Dirty cars are becoming a badge of honour in Whangārei as locals cut back on water use Photo / Susan Botting

NORTHERN ADVOCATE

Dirty cars 'de rigeur' for Whangārei residents helping Far North users

18 Feb, 2020 5:00am
4 minutes to read

Whangārei residents have cut their water use by 2 per cent since Monday.

Northland Chamber of Commerce boss Steve Smith wants a new university hub in Whangarei's inner city, above, but where would it go?

NORTHERN ADVOCATE

Uni hub for Whangārei is Chamber of Commerce boss' vision

17 Feb, 2020 10:00am
2 minutes to read

The creation of a governing body and a feasibility study are planned for mid-year.

Graham and Sandi Dunn in their Whananaki North bach. Photos / Susan Botting

NORTHERN ADVOCATE

A century of heritage at iconic Northland baches

17 Feb, 2020 5:01am
4 minutes to read

A century of heritage at iconic Northland baches.

Northlanders are facing 10 years of roadworks on SH1 south of Whangārei as the new highway takes shape. Photo / File

NORTHERN ADVOCATE

Northland infrastructure spend could see 10 years of SH1 roadworks

14 Feb, 2020 11:00am
5 minutes to read

Northland infrastructure spend could see 10 years of SH1 roadworks

The Northland to Auckland corridor's already being described as the Whangarei-Auckland corridor or Marsden Point-Auckland corridor.

NORTHERN ADVOCATE

Multi-million dollar urban growth corridor Northland to Auckland on the cards

13 Feb, 2020 8:00am
3 minutes to read

The corridor would be the second in NZ.

Whau Valley dam is currently 69 per cent full Photo / John Stone

NORTHERN ADVOCATE

Mayor: Current water situation likely to become normal

12 Feb, 2020 5:00am
3 minutes to read

Whangārei District Council may impose level 2 water restrictions.

Infrastructure New Zealand leaders and sector participants about to look over the Hundertwasser Art Centre development shaping up behind them behind them in Whangārei's Town Basin. Photo / Susan Botting

NORTHERN ADVOCATE

Big changes needed for regional development: Infrastructure NZ

11 Feb, 2020 6:00am
6 minutes to read

INZ CEO Paul Blair says Northlanders need vision for the future of their region.

Wiremu Puriri, Tai Tokerau District Māori Council chairman in Whangārei, is urging Māori to step up and be part of bringing major infrastructure projects to the region. Photo / Susan Botting

THE COUNTRY

Māori urged to get behind Northland infrastructure projects

10 Feb, 2020 6:00am
3 minutes to read

Māori urged to get behind Northland infrastructure projects.

Northland orca expert Dr Ingrid Visser has met with Northport to discuss how the whales could be taken into consideration if the port expands in Whangārei Harbour. Photo / File

NORTHERN ADVOCATE

Northport meets with orca expert about port move

8 Feb, 2020 11:00am
3 minutes to read

CEO of port meets with orca expert to discuss issues about possible Auckland port shift.

Whangarei's Laurie Hall Park and others around the district are now on watering starvation diets as the region's big dry bites Photo / Tania Whyte

NORTHERN ADVOCATE

Whangārei may need to step in with water supplies

6 Feb, 2020 5:00am
3 minutes to read

The district will support its neighbours by supplying water.

Four-laning SH1 south of Whangārei will help ease congestion, but local labour and materials are key to delivering the project, and other infrastructure planned for the region, INZ CEO Pail Blair says

NORTHERN ADVOCATE

Locals key to Northland projects, says infrastructure chief

4 Feb, 2020 8:00am
3 minutes to read

Key sites will visited in a locally based infrastructure roadshow coming to the North.

Northlanders are being asked by the region's mayors to get behind their Kia Kaha campaign to bring five infrastructure projects north, including moving Ports of Auckland's work to Northport, above.

NORTHERN ADVOCATE

180,000 Northlanders asked to get behind Kia Kaha

4 Feb, 2020 7:00am
7 minutes to read

Push for five major infrastructure projects gains momentum.

Northland mayors, Sheryl Mai, Whangarei, left, Far North mayor John Carter and Kaipara mayor Jason Smith, pictured with NRC chairwoman Penny Smart, want five big infrastructure projects to come to North

NORTHERN ADVOCATE

Northland mayors unite to get five major infrastructure projects

3 Feb, 2020 6:00am
5 minutes to read

Mayors get together on infrastructure push.

Deputy Prime Minister Winston Peter and Regional Economic Development Minister Shane Jones at the Dargaville wharf after announcing more than $18 million of Provincial Growth Funding for Northland.

NORTHERN ADVOCATE

More Provincial Growth Fund money for Northland

1 Feb, 2020 7:00am
4 minutes to read

More welcome Provincial Growth Fund money has been announced for Northland.

Whangārei's iconic Hundertwasser Art Centre taking shape this month at the city's Town Basin.

NORTHERN ADVOCATE

Whangārei set for 'massive growth' - council CEO

1 Feb, 2020 5:00am
5 minutes to read

Whangārei set for 'massive growth' - council CEO

Passengers wear masks to prevent an outbreak of a new coronavirus in the high-speed train station in Hong Kong, as concern over the deadly new virus grows. Photo / AP

NORTHERN ADVOCATE

Northlanders warned over deadly coronavirus

23 Jan, 2020 2:55pm
3 minutes to read

Northlanders warned over deadly coronavirus

Boat hull marine pest check in Houhora Harbour just before Christmas - part way through Northland's 2019/2020 summer inspections.

THE COUNTRY

1000-plus boat hulls checked in Northland

23 Jan, 2020 4:54pm
3 minutes to read

Vessels checked include recreational boats, fishing vessels and barges.

Electric cars are the way forward for New Zealand councils says Joe Camuso Photo / Susan Botting

NORTHERN ADVOCATE

Northland council embraces electric vehicles

20 Jan, 2020 7:00am
6 minutes to read

Northland council embraces electric vehicles.

Anti-GMO protesters make their feelings known outside the Northland Regional Council building in Whangārei in 2013. Photo / File

THE COUNTRY

Northland Regional Council not saying if it has changed stance on GMOs

16 Jan, 2020 8:00am
4 minutes to read

Northland Regional Council not saying if it has changed its stance on GMOs.

Zela Charlton is one of Northland's $76 million kiwifruit industry's longest serving growers. Photo / John Stone

THE COUNTRY

Best of 2019: 90-year-old Northland Kiwifruit grower feeding the world

6 Jan, 2020 2:27pm
4 minutes to read

The orchard was planted by hand 38 years ago.

Moko Tepania is calling on Councils around the country to respect the New Zealand Declaration of Independence. Photo / Susan Botting

NORTHERN ADVOCATE

Councils called on to mark Declaration of Independence

23 Dec, 2019 11:00am
2 minutes to read

Councils called on to mark Declaration of Independence.

Far North District Council is getting tough on property owners with overdue rates, with court action already started.

NEW ZEALAND

Householders could lose homes after rating arrears

21 Dec, 2019 1:00pm
4 minutes to read

Far North homeowners could lose their properties due to long-overdue rates.

Northland Mayoral Forum chair Jason Smith said the agreement was

NORTHERN ADVOCATE

Northland – single super council not on agenda, but closer ties are

20 Dec, 2019 10:00am
4 minutes to read

Northland councils working closely together.

Ruapekapeka Rd in the Far North is one of the roads often used as diversion route. Photo / John Stone

NORTHERN ADVOCATE

Northland councils seek NZTA dollars for roads damage

17 Dec, 2019 9:46am
3 minutes to read

Secondary roads in Northland are being damaged due to state highway traffic diversions.

Orca in Whangārei Harbour. The harbour is key for orca which often forage for stingray in its shallow waters. Photo / File

NORTHERN ADVOCATE

Northland environmentalists say no to port move

11 Dec, 2019 6:00am
8 minutes to read

The Whangārei harbour is a place where orca gather regularly

Northland Regional Council meeting Photo / Susan Botting

NORTHERN ADVOCATE

Northland's political leaders paid a 'realistic figure'

6 Dec, 2019 1:00pm
10 minutes to read

Is $3 million too much to pay elected representatives in Northland

Mangawhai is one of the fastest growing centres in New Zealand Photo / John Stone

NORTHERN ADVOCATE

Mangawhai faces population growth challenges

3 Dec, 2019 5:00am
5 minutes to read

The beachside settlement is transforming into a town

Discussing Dargaville's sewage desludging at Kaipara District Council's meeting. Photo / Susan Botting

NORTHERN ADVOCATE

Urgent $1.4 million Dargaville wastewater sludge removal planned

2 Dec, 2019 5:00pm
3 minutes to read

Council has approved a $1.4 million sludge removal operation.

Relocating Auckland's port to Northland would bring strong economic growth to the region

BUSINESS

NRC: Strong benefit for shifting Auckland port to Northland

26 Nov, 2019 6:00am
3 minutes to read

Pros and cons of move will be debated

The Northland Regional Council, from left, Marty Robinson, John Bain, Justin Blaikie (deputy chair), Penny Smart (chair), Jack Craw, Joce Yeoman, Rick Stolwerk, Colin (Toss) Kitchen and Amy Macdonald.

NORTHERN ADVOCATE

Climate change group, increased Maori input for new Northland Regional Council

22 Nov, 2019 8:36am
3 minutes to read

Council's governance structure updated to focus on these and other areas.

Maunu's Stephen Wade in his 3-year-old intensively-planted avocado block which is already producing 20 tonnes of fruit per hectare Photo / John Stone

THE COUNTRY

Northland avocado nursery leads the way

31 Oct, 2019 5:00pm
6 minutes to read

How a Whangarei nursery has become a global leader in a boom industry.

Mangamuka-made raw milk producers Cam Jellick (centre) with his father Paul and Charlotte Fletcher-Beesley in Whangārei with their delivery truck. Photo / John Stone

THE COUNTRY

Stress-free cows supply raw milk

17 Oct, 2019 7:00pm
7 minutes to read

Jellicks' raw milk is proving popular

BUSINESS

Northland avocado nursery expands into China

17 Oct, 2019 8:00am
4 minutes to read

Northland business setting up NZ's first joint venture avocado nursery operation in China.

Stuart Pascoe, Lynwood nursery chief executive officer, among the avocados that are the focus of a Maunu field day tomorrow.

THE COUNTRY

Avocados the focus at Northland field day

10 Oct, 2019 1:00pm
3 minutes to read

The commercial growers' event is being held at Lynwood avocado nursery.

Apotu farmer Barry Thorne (left) talks through making a submission on freshwater reforms with DairyNZ consulting officer Ryan Baxter. Photo / Tania Whyte

PREMIUM

Farmers express concerns over freshwater reforms

10 Oct, 2019 5:00am
5 minutes to read

Thousands of plans will be required to meet the freshwater reform legislation proposals.

Minister of Agriculture Damien O'Connor addresses Whangarei freshwater reform meeting Photo / Susan Botting

THE COUNTRY

Angry voices over clean waterways rules at Northland meeting

3 Oct, 2019 2:30pm
5 minutes to read

Farmers claim food production at risk because of new waterway rules.

Minister of Agriculture Damien O'Connor has told Northland farmers new freshwater management standards are fair.

THE COUNTRY

New fresh water standards 'fair' on Northland farmer

28 Sep, 2019 11:00am
3 minutes to read

New fresh water standards 'fair' on Northland farmers.

Cattle at the 2017 Whangarei A&P Show - the last time cattle featured at the show before the 2018 ban because of Mycoplasma bovis.

THE COUNTRY

Tight security for cattle's return to A&P show

26 Sep, 2019 8:44am
5 minutes to read

Cattle allowed back to the Whangārei A&P Show after a one-year ban over M. bovis.

English shearer Stu Connor is doing it for Grace.

THE COUNTRY

Daughter's unexpected death inspires record bid

19 Sep, 2019 11:30am
3 minutes to read

English shearer Stu Connor aims to beat 867 lambs in nine hours.

Good returns from cattle to be had in today's environment. Photo / File

THE COUNTRY

Run of strong prices puts spring in step

19 Sep, 2019 11:26am
2 minutes to read

Confidence in sheep and beef markets continues unabated.

Now living a life of luxury, Lemon the lamb (left) sports a blue collar with a bow and lemon tag crocheted by her doting foster-mother.

THE COUNTRY

Rural Ramblings: If only our animals could talk

19 Sep, 2019 11:18am
4 minutes to read

A thunder storm causes a sleepless night but that was the least of our worries.

Poroti avocado grower Robin Grieve says New Zealand should become a global leader in the management of methane emissions. Photo / John Stone

THE COUNTRY

Robin Grieve: Why target methane?

19 Sep, 2019 11:13am
5 minutes to read

NZ has good case for ringfencing the greenhouse gas, says Northland grower.

Already three weeks behind schedule, Dargaville's Doug Nilsson is risking establishing these kumara beds in less-than-ideal conditions to get the growing season under way. Photo / John Stone

THE COUNTRY

Northland kumara industry affected by bad weather

12 Sep, 2019 7:00am
4 minutes to read

Persistent light rain falls now may affect January harvest.