Yolisa Tswanya is deputy news director at the Northern Advocate based in Whangārei.
Yolisa hails from Cape Town, South Africa and has been a journalist for 12 years, where she spent a bulk of her career as a print journalist covering a range of issues, in the country's largest multi-platform content company. Her love for writing started in school, where she excelled in essay writing. Yolisa has a keen interest in covering stories around health and education, but has the versatility to report on any news in a balanced, accurate and engaging manner. She has interviewed an array of interesting people and this has grown her love for reporting on issues that matter to people from all walks of life. She has a Bachelor’s degree in journalism from the Cape Peninsula University of Technology in Cape Town. Outside of the newsroom she is a keen sportsperson with a love for netball, rugby and cricket.
On The Up: 'We were very humbled': Rural country store wins business hero award
Settlers Way Country Store won the regional 2025 Prospa Local Business Hero Award.
The rising toll of pokies and online gambling in Northland
About $40.4 million was lost by players, over three times Kaikohe Library's budget.
Council to landfill 190 tonnes of plastic waste as recycling market stalls
The council stockpiled the plastics in the hope that the markets would recover.
'Top dollar for no services': Residents decry council neglect
Residents in the Far North pay up to $5000 in rates but get few services.
'Immoral': Principals oppose charter school funding amidst education reform
$153 million is allocated to establish 50 charter schools over four years.
Council euthanises 56 dogs in two months
FNDC received 796 requests for service for animal management in January and February.
Schools reimbursed $76k after school lunch programme mishaps
Northland schools got $2877 as Ministry of Education reimburses more than $76,000.
Far North Council moves to adopt smokefree and vape-free policy
Smoking rates in the Far North are higher than the national average, at 13% vs 8%.
Community pushes for urgent road safety after fatal cyclist crash
The board supports temporary crossings, costing approximately $195,000.
Water regulator reviews Kāeo compliance nearly 10 years into boil notice
Lifting Kāeo's boil notice requires expensive equipment, costing thousands of dollars.
Northland schools see literacy boost with structured approach
Almost two-thirds of teachers are significantly changing their teaching practices.
'Really exciting': Kiwi dance crew heading to world competition finals
The DDF Dance Crew will compete in the World Supremacy Battlegrounds finals.
'Symbol of pride': Kohukohu united in efforts to preserve historic hall
The Kohukohu community is determined to save the historic hall.
Portable building theft leaves man without emergency housing
Business owner laments criminals taking firm's "last available unit in the Hokianga area".
'Huge inconvenience': Man's stolen prosthetic delays recovery
Russell Blank’s prosthetic leg was stolen from his letterbox in Whangaroa.
Grandmother's relentless mission to help Kaikohe children succeed
Rachel Velden, 87, volunteers at Kaikohe West School, aiding struggling kids.
Moerewa drainage concerns reignited by laundromat consent process
Hapū worry about greywater impacting the environment and local water supply.
Daylight kiwi fight caught on video reveals rare territorial clash
Two kiwi birds fought in daylight, revealing territorial behaviour.
'This is a desecration': Thousands of illegally dumped animal carcasses trouble town's water
Illegal animal dumping has plagued Hukerenui for 15 years.
Far North council pushes for separate climate zone to cut building costs
MBIE says any changes must go through a formal review process.
'Kaikohe is where it's at': Community cheers new library project
Kaikohe's new library project has been approved, with completion aimed for next year.
‘What happens next?’ Calls for local solutions to school lunch problems
Libelle Group's liquidation raises concerns about school lunch programme's stability.
The Faces of War: Artist Paints Forgotten Lives of NZ Soldiers
Portraits highlight soldiers' pre-war lives on show at Jack Morgan Museum.
From rescue to research: Green turtles released for major project
Five green turtles were released into Rangaunu Harbour in the Far North.
‘Heartbreaking’: Fuel theft strains resource-stretched hospice
Fuel thieves ripped open the tank of a nurse’s car at Hospice Mid-Northland.
Quality school lunches: Bay of Islands College leads by example
The Bay of Islands College kitchen team's skills and creativity result in quality lunches.
Revealed: The region with a drinking problem twice as bad as the rest of NZ
The Far North District is developing an LAP to curb harm.
'Make a Marmite sandwich': Luxon's school lunch stance divides opinion
Luxon's ‘Marmite sandwich’ comment sparked widespread criticism.
Five Northland schools face lunch delivery, quality concerns
Ministry of Education is working with suppliers to improve meal delivery.
Search under way for whale freed from Far North oyster lines
A whale freed itself from lines at a Far North oyster farm yesterday.
'He's a legend': Cyclist, 70, takes on NZ for ADHD awareness
John Evans, 70, is cycling NZ to raise funds for neurodivergent children.
Police search for driver after house falls off truck in Far North crash
Police are searching for the truck driver after a house fell during transport.
NZ town has been under a boil water notice for nearly a decade, authorities now stepping in
Taumata Arowai is working with Wai Care to ensure safe drinking water soon.
School lunch supplier sorry after delivery error leaves kids hungry
Whangārei Intermediate School ordered about 100 pizzas after issues with school lunches.
‘Really bad’: Water woes threaten tourism in Far North
Threatened Level 4 restrictions would limit water use to essentials like cooking.
Late, burnt and leaking: School rejects burnt lunches, opts for pizza instead
Whangārei Intermediate had to send back burnt and leaking school lunches.
12-tractor convoy on mission to boost children's mental wellbeing
A convoy of 12 tractors and a Humvee visited schools in the Far North.
Council’s $1.5m plan to alter Kāeo River and reduce flooding
Phase two of the Kāeo flood scheme will start this year.
E.coli found in school water, students asked to bring bottles
An MoE upgrade is expected for Mangawhai School's water infrastructure.
Dump turned into a community racetrack and communal space
Moerewa land transformed from rubbish site to community hub.
Kāeo residents mark decade under boil water notice, no end in sight
Kaeo residents have struggled for years to get answers about the water crisis.
'Something special': 50 manta rays surround sightseeing boat in stunning display
Manta ray and orca sightings captivated locals.
Far North woman petitions for better healthcare after 160km ambulance ride
The petition urges the Government to expand or build a new Kaitāia Hospital.
‘It’s about the safety of our kids’: Parents alarmed over bus cuts
There are concerns about children walking along State Highway 10.
Teen's Minecraft project brings Northland cities to life
Whangārei is now on Minecraft as part of a global project.
Pay errors unaddressed: Calls grow for school payroll reform
Calls for overhaul as overpayment cases hit 820, with 66 in Northland.
'Make a huge difference': Principals praise KidsCan support
KidsCan supports 1100 schools, helping with food, shoes, and jackets.
Medicinal cannabis prescriptions soar
Scripts for the legal products rose from 9% in 2022 to 37% in 2024.
‘A thousand times harder’: Parents turn to charities as school costs rise
Parents increasingly rely on charities due to rising school costs.
Northland teachers face challenges as curriculum changes loom in 2025
Northland educators remain dedicated amid upheavals.
Baby sharks found in Far North rock pools after strong tides
Baby sharks have been spotted in rock pools near Ahipara, drawing local interest.
‘It’s shocking’: Dust woes continue, residents call for stronger council action
Residents in the Far North are angered by dust issues despite dust suppression measures.
Residents frustrated with $100k roadworks deemed unnecessary
Residents call road resealing 'unnecessary'
Humble Northland couple’s community contribution recognised
John and Lily Coleman recognised for community service.
Why Northland's luxury stays are world-class escapes
A glimpse into some of Northland's most luxurious stays
Police admit errors in handling complaint, assault charge against Kaitāia man
Police acknowledge IPCA findings on the unjustified use of force in the Kaitāia incident.
'Milestone': Iwi celebrate ownership deal for Kaitāia Airport
Kaitāia Airport deal finalised; Ngāi Takoto and Ngāti Kahu take ownership.
Air NZ drops several Northland flights, raising connectivity concerns
Air NZ cuts flights to Kerikeri and Whangārei, raising concerns over Northland's economy.
Northlander the only validated gang member holding a firearms licence
Only one gang member on NZ's National Gang List has an expired firearms licence.
'Devastated': Four Northland childcare centres closed amid liquidation and debt
The closure has created uncertainty for employees, parents, and the wider community.
Rainy Labour weekend ahead, lifeguards ready at beaches
Lifeguards prepare for busy Labour weekend; weather may deter some beachgoers.
'A standout destination' Northland's unique attractions land it on Best of the World list
Northland named in National Geographic's 25 Best Places to Travel for its unique beauty.
Driver testing: Ongoing funding for community driver testing scheme beyond 2026
Government will continue funding community driver testing scheme beyond 2026.
'Urgent': Pharmacists providing healthcare amid rising GP wait times
Local pharmacists are providing medical care and advice amid long GP wait times
Grim discovery: Horse euthanised after being found with suspected gunshot wound
The injured animal was found by bike riders.
Russell ferry collision: Lack of watchkeeping standards contributed to collision - report
TAIC report included four reasons why the accident happened.
Early childhood crisis: Kaitāia families wait up to two years for childcare
Parents stay home to care for kids: 'We are trying to juggle the bills on one income.'
New Pukenui solar farm takes shape as Government boosts climate change efforts
Climate Change Minister Simon Watts visits Pukenui solar farm
Rising Stars: Whangārei boxers set to shine at National Amateur Boxing Championships
Kye Hiko and Lucas Potter are set to make an impression at the tournament in Christchurch.
A dream come true: Local teens train with football legend
Kamo club youngsters train with Football Ferns striker Hannah Wilkinson.
Surf's up: Whangārei local heading to world champs
Whangārei local Heather Easterbrook will compete at the surfing champs in El Salvador.
Two for one: Classic Taniwha kick off double-header in Whangārei
Classic Taniwha, with former Northland rugby greats, will go against Classic All Blacks.
Sick green turtle dies after boatie rescued it in Whangārei Harbour
The turtle has died of pneumonia.
Power fully restored after car hits power pole
A driver sustained minor injuries after hitting a power pole.
Local pooch becomes latest addition to Te Whatu Ora's pet therapy team
Boots and his owner Phillipa Mentor are Health New Zealand's newest pet therapy team.
Police searching for vehicle of interest in relation to Dargaville woman’s death
'Anyone who saw this vehicle or has dashcam footage ... is urged to come forward.'
Charity champions the success and development of young people
The partnership gets new and used sports items to adolescents.
Two vehicles involved in serious crash on SH10 outside Waipapa
Crash injures three people.
Changes to benefit ‘may negatively impact young jobseekers’
The changes include requiring recipients to reapply every six months.
'Long overdue': Whangārei of the future revealed in proposed strategy
In the next 30 years, the district will add 40,000 new residents.